Blue squiggle

Skittle rainbow

Type:
Location:
Messiness:
Time: ,
Ages:, , , , , , ,

I found this activity on the wonderful A Suffolk Mum website.

Skittle Rainbow is a quick, mesmerizing activity that combines creativity with a splash of science. All you need are Skittles, a plate, and some water to create a gorgeous, swirling rainbow right before your eyes. As the water dissolves the colored coating, it spreads out in vibrant patterns across the plate.

This is a fantastic mini science experiment to teach kids about dissolving, diffusion, and color mixing—plus, it’s absolutely beautiful to watch! Quick to set up, low mess, and endlessly impressive, this activity is perfect for a rainy afternoon or a mini science lesson.


Materials Needed

• A pack of Skittles (or any colorful coated candy)

• A white plate (the flatter the better)

• Warm water


Tools Needed

• None


Steps

1. Arrange the Skittles: Place Skittles around the edge of a plate in a circle or fun pattern.

2. Add Water: Gently pour warm water into the center of the plate until it just touches the Skittles.

3. Watch the Magic: Within seconds, the colors will begin to dissolve and spread, creating a rainbow effect.

4. Experiment: Try different patterns, water temperatures, or candy types to see what changes!


Tried this activity?

We’d love to hear how it went!

Got a clever twist or fun idea to add?

Share your tips — you might inspire another family!


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ready for the weekend?

Screen-free activities delivered to your inbox. Every Friday.