Color Changing Water Science Experiment

Who knew a head of red cabbage could be so much fun? We actually did this color-changing water experiment the same day we did the pH indicator testing. One cabbage, two experiments. We love science experiments here and I hope you do too.

Color Changing Water

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This is a very easy science experiment and super budget-friendly science. Everything you need is for this, is in your kitchen. I like experiments to be easy and accessible for everyone.

Red Cabbage Science Experiment

With this experiment, I had no idea what to expect along with my kids. I think those are the best experiments., the ones we get to experience the magic together. It was the same when we did the cabbage pH indicator.

What You Need:

How to Make Water Change Color

The first thing to do is boil water, and pour that boiling water over ahead (or half ahead) of red cabbage cut up. The more cabbage, the more water you use, the more water you’ll have to do this experiment with.

Let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Now strain the water off your cabbage and into either clear small jars or into glasses. Your red cabbage water is going to look quite purple.

Pour a little white vinegar into your cabbage water.

Color Changing Water (Red Cabbage)

Add a little baking soda.

Color Changing Water (Red Cabbage)

This color changing water science experiment doesn’t stop at one or two colors but you can add more baking soda to see more change.

Color Changing Water (Red Cabbage)

You do want to make sure that you let each reaction finish before adding more baking soda or vinegar to each glass of red cabbage water. We did end up with a really big mess… think volcano.

Color Changing Water
Yield: 1

Color Changing Water (Red Cabbage)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $1

Materials

  • head or red cabbage
  • boiling water
  • vinegar
  • baking soda

Tools

  • clear glasses/jars
  • kettle

Instructions

  1. The first thing to do it boil water, and pour that boiling water over a head (or half a head) of red cabbage cut up. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
  2. Now strain the water off your cabbage and into either clear small jars or into glasses.
  3. Pour a little white vinegar into your cabbage water.
  4. Add a little baking soda.
  5. This color changing science experiment doesn't stop at one or two colors but you can add more baking soda to see more change.

Notes

You do want to make sure that you let each reaction finish before adding more baking soda or vinegar to each glass of red cabbage water. We did end up with a really big mess... think volcano.

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