Walking Water Experiment

We just tried a really fun science experiment - Walking Water.  I saw it listed in my newsfeed on Facebook yesterday, and we did it today!  I'm kind of proud that I knocked that one out instead of filing it under "to-do" on my overflowing mental lists.

Check out the experiment here:  http://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/walking-water-science-experiment-kids/  The link gives good detail and lots of pictures.

The basic set up is:

1. Place three clear containers side by side.  We used clear plastic cups. Be careful that you choose either containers that are not of great value or will not be stained by the food dye. 
2. Fill the two outer containers with water, leaving the middle container empty.  
3. Use food dye to color the water in the two outside containers. Use two different shades of food dye, one color in each of the two containers with water.  We used yellow and blue.  See further notes on color choices below.
4. Take two paper towels. 
5. Fold each paper towel so that it is long and skinny.  
6. Take one folded paper towel, and place one end in the container of colored water.  Place the other end in the empty cup.  Repeat this process with the second paper towel so that you have something reminiscent of a paper towel bridge extending from each of the two colored containers into the empty cup.  

Have your kiddos make some initial observations, and then wait a while.  We went for an evening walk. When we came back, the kids found the water had walked so that all three cups had an equal amount of water.  

Repeat this experiment over and over mixing different colors.  It is a great opportunity to learn about primary and secondary colors.  Primary colors are colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors together.  The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.  Secondary colors are colors created by mixing the primary colors - orange (red + yellow), green (blue + yellow), and purple (red + blue).  

Have fun!!