coffee filter experiment colors

Rainbow Marker Coffee Filter Experiment

Not only is this coffee filter science for for the kids, adults will love it too! It’s pretty magical to watch the rainbow of colors come alive through this experiment!

We’re using  coffee filters and markers to make amazing tie-dye  rainbow colors! Markers, coffee filters, and water – that simple! It’s such a fun color rainbow marker experiment with kids, my girls were going gaga for it! Now we have all sorts of beautiful colored coffee filters to craft with!

Rainbow Marker Coffee Filters

I first found this idea over at  Buggy and Bunny  and their Chromatography Color Experiment . We had to try it… but we put our own spin on it – rainbow style! Although honestly, as much fun as these rainbow markers are for the color, Buggy and Bunny  uses black and brown and they give the best colors, all swirly. Be sure to go check those out. My girls are itching to craft those colors next!

Watch the How-to Video

• white coffee filters
• markers in rainbow colors
• small glass jar or drinking cup

Instructions:

1. Color a large circle with your marker onto your coffee filter. Add the circle of color just at the base of the lines on the filter, there’s that round area at the bottom. This way your marker won’t bleed too fast and make the water color the whole filter one color instead of tie-dye! TIP: do this over newspaper as the markers can bleed.

2. Fold your coffee filter in half. Fold it in half again and again – quartered. This will expose that white un-markered center at the point.

3. Fill your glass with 1-2 inches of water. Make sure only the tip of the filter is touching the water.

The water travels fast, within just a few minutes, you’ll have this look pictured below! It’s amazing to watch!

I talked to my kids about the process of water with the filter, and how the color can travel and spread through the filter with an agent like water. 

We did this for each of our rainbow marker colored coffee filters!

I was laughing through documenting these because after every photo I took, the water would travel more and more and more. I had to hurry to take a before and after pic!

Here they each are at the start…

…and here they are 30 minutes later! I think the purple is my favorite!

4. Once you have your filters colored as much as you’d like, about 30-40 minutes, take them out of the water and let them dry on newspaper.

They actually don’t take too long to dry. You can pick them up after a little bit and wave them or blow on them. After an hour we had rainbow coffee filters to craft with!

Now you have your colored coffee filters, here are a few ideas for crafting with them!

More Rainbow Marker Ideas

• Make these Coffee Filter Snowflakes
• How cute are these Coffee Filter Butterflies?
• Coffee Filter Flowers – fold them in half, crinkle them up and twist the bottom. Instant flower!

*Originally posted 2/25/15

Marie is a mom of 3 living in Seattle, WA. She's been the founder and managing editor of Make and Takes for the last 16 years, sharing DIY tutorials for home, family, and fun. Author of Make and Takes for Kids , Early Childhood and Elementary graduate, and currently teaching 2nd grade in Seattle!

Thank you for a simple experiment but yet gives a HUGE effect.

Coffee Filter Flowers – Chromatography Science Experiment for Kids

This chromatography science experiment for kids is simple way to learn about separating colors using markers and coffee filters.

Chromatography Science Experiment

This fun science activity is a great way for kids to explore chromatography in a simple, easy way.

You only need a see-through cup, coffee filters, markers and some water for this activity.

Some markers work better than others. We found that the thicker they are, the better they work. We like using Mr. Sketch markers for this experiment.

As always, make sure you supervise the kids and be sure to ask questions about what they think will happen with each of the ink colors. 

Make sure you scroll all the way down to get the explanation of how this works and to see the video demonstration.

Instructions for Chromatography Science Activity

Supplies Needed:

• Coffee Filter

*Tip: You may want to use 2 filters together if the water is not rising up the filter fast enough.

• Fill a clear cup with water. Fill it about 1/3 full. Make sure you have enough water for the filter to absorb. 
• Grab a coffee filter and draw a circle on it. Outline the circle 2 or 3 times at least to make sure it has enough ink.
• Fold the coffee filter in half once, and then in half a second time. Make sure there is a good point at the bottom.
• Spread the top of the filter out a little so the filter doesn’t fall in the water. Then insert the tip into the water. Make sure the marker part of the filter is not put into the water in the glass cup. It helps to have a glasses that are pretty small. Our glasses were even a bit too big.
• Watch the filter absorb the water and the colors move up the filter! This will take some time, but is fun to watch and see what colors come from each different marker!

The kids definitely loved this science activity! They enjoyed trying different ink colors to see which combination of colors came from each. This activity kept them entertained for over an hour as they tried different combinations.

Video of Chromatography Science Experiment

How does this simple science activity work.

Chromatography is the separation of a mixture by passing it through a medium in which the components move at different speeds.

In our science activity, the medium is the coffee filter which allows kids to see the particles traveling at different speeds and the separation of the colors.

Chromatography has two phases. A mobile phase where a mixture is dissolved in the substance (water) and carried through the stationary phase. In our case, the stationary phase is the coffee filter.

The water carries the molecules up the water filter and the different molecules move at different rates. This causes the different colors that make up the ink to separate at different speeds and allows us to see the variations of color!

Extend the Fun

The kids also extended the fun by trying multiple ink colors on one filter. They loved seeing all the different colors moving up the filter.

After they were done, they waited for all of the filters to dry and have used them in various craft projects since.

This science activity would be a great addition to your simple science lessons and is a fun way for kids to learn about chromatography.

I hope you and the kids enjoy this exciting science experiment!

Other Fun Science Experiments

Try this super simple  Oobleck recipe  that only requires two household ingredients!

This  rainbow skittles experiment  is sure to WOW the kids!

This pepper and soap experiment is very simple to do, but always engages the kids!

Did you know you can put paper under water and it will stay dry? Give it a try with this keep paper dry under water experiment . The kids love this cool trick!

Explore Newton’s color wheel while making colors disappear with this totally awesome science activity!

The kids will get a kick out of this super cool  dancing raisins science experiment !

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Colorful Coffee Filter Flowers

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Mother’s Day is coming up on May 14th! In this artistic STEM activity, your child will create a beautiful gift while observing how water causes marker ink to spread, separate, and change on a coffee filter. It’s a scientific process otherwise known as “ paper chromatography .” Once the coffee filters dry, your child will then wrap them into paper flowers to create a colorful bouquet for Mom (or any person they love)!

What We’re Learning & Skills We’re Building

• Early science concepts – physical changes (mixing water and ink); absorption (ink and water seeping into the coffee filter); chromatography (see the fun experiment link under the More Learning section below)
• Experimentation – testing several kinds of markers during the activity to see the different results 
• Fine motor skills – using the small muscles in the hands to drip, pinch, and twist
• Color mixing – mixing colors to create new, different colors
• Standard-size “basket” coffee filters or small cone-shaped coffee filters (alternatives: paper towels or tissue paper cut into circles)
• A variety of markers 
• Drinking cups or jars (clear is ideal)
• 2-4 tbsps water
• Art tray , cookie cooling tray, or plate(s)
• Dish towel or paper towels
• Scotch tape or masking tape
• (Optional) Pipe cleaners  

( Note: Cone-shaped coffee filters are thicker than basket coffee filters and may take longer to absorb water. Colors might be less vibrant if the filter paper is tan/brown.)

1. Have your child draw on one side of the coffee filters with the markers, making designs, drawing shapes, or coloring them completely. They can use a different color on each filter or many colors on one. They can draw close to the center or only on the edges. This is the time for artistic experimentation!

2. Set the filters aside to dry for a few minutes.

*Observe: Take note of what each coffee filter looks like when it’s dry. Older children can make predictions about how the colors and designs might change once the filters are placed in water.  

3. When the coffee filters are dry, fold them in half 3 times (so they look like pizza slices).

4. Pour about 2-4 tbsps of water into each cup/jar.

5. Place the pointy part of each of the folded coffee filters into the separate cups. Wait while the paper absorbs the water (about 5-15 minutes).

*Observe: Watch as the water slowly creeps up the filters. Ask, “What happens when the water reaches the colorful marker ink? Do the colors spread? Do they move? Do they mix together? Do some colors disappear?” And if only one marker color was used, ask, “Do new colors appear?”

6. Remove the filters from the water and carefully unfold them. Place each on the cookie cooling rack or tray/plate(s) lined with dish towels or paper towels. Let them dry completely (30-60 minutes).

*Observe: Once the filters are dry, ask, “Do the filters look the same as they did before we dipped them into water, or do they look different?” Point out the differences to young children. Older children can compare the results to their own predictions in step 2 above.

Making Flowers

• Once the colorful coffee filters are fully dry, fold them in half 3 times (the same way as before, so they look like pizza slices). 
• To make a stem, pinch the middle of a folded coffee filter and twist the bottom half.
• Wrap the twisted bottom half of the filter with a small piece of scotch tape (masking tape is fine, but it’s less sticky). Or, wrap a pipe cleaner around the twisted bottom.
• Create petals by separating and spreading out the folds on the top half of the filter.
• (Optional) Stack two unfolded, dry coffee filters on top of each other and repeat steps 3 & 4 to create fluffier flowers with many petals. This might be easier for older children and adults.
• Place the flowers in a dry vase to give as a gift for Mom or any other loved one! 

( Note : Colorful coffee filters can be used to create other things, not just flowers. Check out this list of simple coffee filter crafts .)

More Learning

• What is chromatography ? It’s a complex scientific process! In simple terms, it’s separating the   parts of a mixture (marker ink) that’s been absorbed into/onto a material (coffee filter) by passing it through a solution (water). Chromatography can be used to measure how many different parts are in a mixture, and how much there is in each part.
• Marker Ink: Chromatography can also show us all the different colors (pigments) that have been blended together to create the ink for just one marker color. For example, dipping a coffee filter that’s been colored with red marker into water might show streaks of orange, yellow, and pink ink – all of these colors were mixed together to create the red ink!
• Experiment: Draw color on a coffee filter, then use a medicine dropper or pipette to drip water over the marker ink. Or, use a spray bottle to moisten the colored coffee filter. Black markers are fun and educational in chromatography activities because there are many colors that make up black ink. Check out this fun experiment !

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Coffee Filter Chromatography Craft

Explore STEAM with this easy coffee filter chromatography craft that transforms into a bouquet of flowers! Coffee filter chromatography is a simple and fascinating technique used to separate the components of a mixture, often focusing on pigments or dyes in various substances like markers, ink, or plant extracts. This project is perfect for hands-on science experiments.

Chromatography for STEAM

Coffee filter chromatography is an excellent example of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) activity because it incorporates principles from multiple disciplines:

Science: Kids learn about the scientific principles of chromatography, including solubility, capillary action, and separation of mixtures. They observe firsthand how different components of ink separate based on their interactions with the filter paper and the solvent.

You might also like the original black mark chromatography lab .

Art: Coffee filter chromatography is a creative activity that allows kids to express themselves artistically by creating colorful chromatograms. They can experiment with different colors and designs, making each chromatogram unique.

Chromatogram: a visible record (such as a series of colored bands, or a graph) showing the result of separation of the components of a mixture by chromatography.

Coffee Filter Chromatogrphy Project

Supplies needed:.

• Paper towel/newspaper
• Coffee filters
• Small 4 or 8oz mason jars
• Green pipe cleaners
• Markers (water-based)

How to Make Chromatography Flowers

STEP 1: Flatten the coffee filters onto a paper towel or newspaper.

STEP 2: Draw a circle on the coffee filter with a marker on the round bottom area.

STEP 3: Fold each coffee filter in half four times.

STEP 4: Add an inch of water to each mason jar and place the folded coffee filter into the water, with just the bottom touching the water.

STEP 5: water will travel up the coffee filter and through the color in a minute or two.

STEP 6: Unfold the coffee filters and let them dry.

STEP 7: Fold the coffee filters in half about 4 times again and round the top with scissors.

STEP 8: Pull the center together with just a touch and tape with clear tape to make a flower.

STEP 9: Wrap a pipe cleaner around the tape and leave the remaining pipe cleaner for a stem. 10. Place in a small cup.

Science Behind Coffee Filter Chromatography

This technique is a fun and colorful activity and a powerful tool used in scientific research and analysis to separate and identify substances in mixtures.

The science behind coffee filter chromatography involves the separation of mixtures into their individual components. There are two phases: the stationary phase (the coffee filter paper) and the mobile phase (the water).

Markers contain various pigments with different solubilities and attractions to the coffee filter paper and water. As the water moves up the paper, it carries these pigments along, but each pigment interacts differently with the paper and the water, resulting in the separation of colors.

Note: The original chromatography experiment is typically done with black markers to reveal a mystery of colors, but for our colorful bouquet, choose any colors!

Once the water reaches the top of the filter paper, you’ll have a colorful chromatogram—a visual representation of the different pigments in the ink and their relative affinities for the solvent (water).

More STEAM Projects for Kids

Explore our entire collection of STEAM activities for Kids !

• Coffee Filter Rainbow STEAM Craft
• Coffee Filter Flower Bouquet (Different Method)
• Watercolor and Salt Painting
• Raised Salt Painting
• Marbled Paper Project

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Science Projects > Chemistry Projects > Colorful Chromatography + Video  

Colorful Chromatography + Video

Color chromatography.

Chromatography is one of the simplest techniques for separating the individual components of a mixture. In chemistry, a mixture is a combination of substances that can be separated because they are not chemically bonded. As opposed to a compound, which has elements chemically bonded together. In paper chromatography, a mixture is dissolved and pulled across a piece of paper.

The mixture separates because its components travel across the paper at different rates, based on their attraction to the paper or solubility in the solvent. The word ‘chromatography’ comes from the two Greek words for ‘color’ and ‘writing.’ Once you try out the fun projects below, you’ll see why that’s such a fitting name!

>> Watch our chromatography video to see this cool process in action!

Color Hide-and-Seek

Is black really black? Let’s start with some simple paper chromatography to find out.

What You Need:

• Black washable marker
• Filter paper or coffee filter
• Beaker or cup

What You Do:

1. Cut a piece of filter paper or coffee filter into rectangular strips (approximately 1/2″ x 3-4″).

2. Draw a pencil line across the narrow end of a strip, about 1 cm from the bottom.

3. Draw a small dot with the black marker on the pencil line.

4. Use a binder clip or tape to attach the paper strip to a pencil. Set the pencil across the top of a beaker or cup. Adjust the paper strip until it hangs down without touching the sides or bottom of the beaker.

5. Carefully pour water into the beaker until it just touches the bottom of the paper strip. (Make sure the water level is below the marker spot, or else the ink will just run off into the water.) Water will begin to travel up the paper.

6. When the water nears the top of the paper, remove the strip from the beaker and let it dry on a paper plate or hanging in an empty cup. The series of colors you see is called a chromatogram.

What Happened:

As the water travels up the paper strip (similar to capillary action in plants), it dissolves the ink and pulls it up the paper too.

The black ink is actually a mixture of several different pigments, or coloring agents. Some pigments dissolve in water easier and are pulled with the water farther up the paper.

Others are more attracted to the paper and move more slowly.

Usually smaller molecules will move farther than larger ones. What colors do you see on your chromatogram? Was the black marker really black?

The three primary colors used when mixing dyes or paints are red, yellow, and blue.

Other colors are often a mixture of these three colors. Try running a chromatography test again with non-primary-color markers, like purple, brown, and orange.

See what hidden colors are really there! You can also try using other solvents, such as rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover, especially for permanent pens and markers that won’t dissolve in water.

Fall Colors in Summer Leaves

Trees that were green all year suddenly become bright yellow, orange, red, or even purple! How does this happen?

Leaves contain different pigments, which give them their color.

Green chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis, is the most common type of pigment, but there are also cartenoids (yellow, orange, brown) and anthocyanins (red).

During the summer months, the leaves are so full of chlorophyll that green overpowers any other colors present in the leaves, such as yellow and orange.

In the fall the days start to get shorter and the temperature drops, signaling to the tree that it is time to go into storage mode for the winter. The chlorophyll starts to break down, causing the green in the leaves to disappear, and allowing us to see the colors of the other pigments, which were present all along.

You can use chromatography to find out what pigments are present in a leaf when it is still green.

• Green leaves (trees with dramatic fall color changes, like maples, work best)
• Glass beaker or cup
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Gather several green leaves from a tree. You can choose to compare two different trees, if you want.

2. Cut the leaves into very small pieces and put them in a small glass or beaker.

3. Pour rubbing alcohol into the glass just enough to cover the leaves. You want the pigment solution to be as concentrated as possible, so don’t add more alcohol than necessary. Cover the glass with plastic wrap and set it in a larger glass or bowl with about an inch of hot water. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, swirling occasionally and replacing the hot water as necessary. You can use a spoon to help crush the leaves and release more pigment.

4. When the color of the liquid is nice and dark, remove the leaf tissue with a fork or spoon (or strain it through a coffee filter).

5. Tape a strip of filter paper to a pencil and suspend it in the beaker so that the strip just touches the colored liquid. Cover the beaker with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation.

6. When the alcohol nears the top (this can take 30-90 minutes), remove the strip and let it dry.

What colors do you see in your finished chromatogram? The ‘hidden’? pigments (caretonoids and anthocyanins) will travel farther up the paper than the chlorophyll. Based on your chromatogram, what color do you think the leaves will be in the fall after the chlorophyll has broken down?

Read our article to learn more about how leaves change colors in the fall.

More Fun Chemistry Projects

• Ink and Paper Activities
• Color-Change Tricks
• Invisible Ink

Science Links

Explore the nature of color with this beautiful and informative web exhibit: Causes of Color .

Check out this site to see how all colored printing is really made from just four colors.

Welcome! Read other Chemistry articles or explore the rest of the Resource Center, which consists of hundreds of free science articles!

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Coffee Filter Flowers Chromatography

Is black really black?

What happens when all the rainbow colors blend together?

We will be able to answer these questions after doing some science investigation .

In this experiment, we will use coffee filter to investigate color properties.

We will make a beautiful bouquet of flowers along the way, too!

It’s a combination of a coffee filter marker experiment and craft project .

Color Science & Art | Coffee Filter Flowers

In this experiment, we will learn how to do paper chromatography -- the separation of a mixture using a thin piece of paper (we used coffee filters).

Then, we'll use the results to make a beautiful flower bouquet. 

• 7 coffee filters
• washable markers in black and in rainbow colors (Do not use permanent markers as they don't work. We tried!)
• 7 small cups

Instructions

Paper chromatography.

• On each coffee filter, draw and color a small circle in the middle. Use a different color on each filter.
• Fill each cup with water to 1 inch deep.
• Place a filter on each cup. Gently push the middle of the filter down into the cup until it touches the water.
• Let the filter stay dipped in the water and wait for 10-15 minutes.

Coffee Filter Flowers

• When all the filters are dry, observe how each color is separated.
• Some colors are separated into several colors. Others are spread out but stay as a single color.
• To make coffee filter flowers, choose two filters with colors that will complement each other.
• For example, orange and yellow, blue and purple, etc.

• Fold in half two more times.
• Now, fold the two outer flaps outward onto themselves so that you have a zig-zag shape.
• Use a pipe cleaner to tightly tie the tip of the folded filters.

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Did you try this project?

Follow us on Pinterest and share a photo!

In the “black” coffee filter, you should be able to see the rainbow colors after the black ink is spread out.

Water is a&nbsp ;solvent that rises through the paper fibers.

Since washable ink can  dissolve in water (that is why it is washable), it starts to travel up the paper with the water.

There are several components inside the black ink.

The components travel at different speed depending on how polar the substance is.

The less polar the component, the less it bonds with the paper and therefore the farther it travels.

When these components are spread out, you can see that the black ink is actually composed of a rainbow of colors.

The same thing happens with other colors.

You will notice that the primary colors, i.e. red, blue and yellow, do not spread out into different colors, while others do.

For example, green will be separated into blue and yellow, orange into red and yellow, etc.

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