We love doing creative STEM activities for kids. When we first started out with 31 days of STEM activities one summer back in 2016, I had no idea that would become my fulltime career one day!
It’s crazy to think that this milk surface tension science experiment started STEAMsational.
Keep reading to learn how to learn about surface tension using milk and food coloring.
It’s so easy to do this science experiment, and kids can quickly learn about how surface tension works, and how detergent works in this experiment.
Kids of all ages will love this experiment, from preschool all the way to middle school!
Milk Surface Tension Science Experiment
Try this fun milk surface tension science experiment at home with your kids! If you want more fun surface tension science experiments, try the rainbow surface tension science experiment!
Why are Hands-On Science Experiments Important?
Hands-on science experiments are fun for kids of all ages.
Most kids are tactile learners and prefer to experience things in a hands-on way.
Scientific concepts can be difficult for children to understand when just reading about them in a book.
But when a child explores a scientific concept with a hands-on experiment, they can see the concept right before their eyes.
When doing an experiment, kids are much more likely to remember the science behind the concept.
The Scientific Method for Kids
When doing your science experiments, include all elements of a science experiment:
- Experiment with variables
- Data recording
- Analysis and results
Milk Surface Tension STEM Extensions
Experiment with using different kinds of soap. Try using bar soap, hand soap, dish soap, powdered soap, and shampoo.
Which type of soap clings to the fat particles the best?
Try using different types of milk.
Does the experiment work better with skim milk, half and half, cream, whole milk, or two percent milk?
What happens if you try it with yogurt or sour cream?
Can you get the colors to mix? Try making all the secondary colors from the three primary colors, yellow, red, and blue.
Milk Surface Tension Science Experiment Lesson Plan
Get the complete 11-page lesson plan for this experiment complete with quiz, worksheets, supply list, printable directions, and more!
When milk is homogenized, fat particles are equally spread throughout the milk.
Because of the fat, food coloring is lighter than milk, which causes it to stay in one place.
The surface tension of the milk keeps the food coloring in one place.
Surface tension is caused by the force of each of the molecules in the milk pushing against each other.
When the dish soap is added, it binds with the fat molecules and reduces the surface tension of the milk.
This is why the food coloring seems to “dance” after it is touched with dish soap. In fact, dish soap is called a surfactant in the scientific world.
Kids are always delighted when the food coloring suddenly flies across the surface of the milk.
They will want to repeat this experiment over and over again.
Milk Surface Tension Science Experiment Supplies
This post contains affiliate links.
Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap, Original Scent, 2 count, 56 oz.Q-tips Cotton Swabs, 170 ctMcCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 fl ozPyrex 1107101 Basics Clear Oblong Glass Baking Dishes, 2 Piece Value Plus Pack SetThe Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based Projects
- Whole fat milk
- Food coloring
- Dish soap
- Cotton swab
How to Do the Milk Surface Tension Science Experiment
Follow these steps to make your milk and food coloring experiment.
Fill a shallow container with milk. Place a few drops of food coloring in different areas of the milk. Don’t shake the container or the results will be less dramatic.
Dip a cotton swab into the dish soap and gently touch the food coloring. It will “dance” through the milk, leaving colorful swirls behind.
Magic Milk Experiment Results
Monkey and Bo loved the surface tension experiment. Bo preferred to use her fingers to move the food coloring around.
The results would have looked cooler if we had additional colors, but we only had the green so we made do.
It was rather amazing how quickly the food coloring moved after the soap touched it. Monkey used the dish soap to guide the milk in specific patterns.
Both girls wanted to drink the milk afterward, but I told them they did not want to drink dish soap-flavored water.
More Creative STEM Activities for Kids
How to Do the Classic Baking Soda Volcano Science Experiment
Easy Slime Recipe with Borax (the original slime recipe!)