Skittles Experiment for Kids

The Skittles Experiment is an easy, fun, and colorful kitchen science activity that kids (and adults) really enjoy! Using just water and candy, kids can learn about the scientific concept of diffusion while creating a cool rainbow effect on a plate. It’s low mess and perfect for both home and classroom learning. Read on for directions, tips, and extension ideas!

You may enjoy pairing this project with our Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin.

Skittles Science Experiment

This is one of those experiments we’ve done over and over again—and it never gets old. My boys have always enjoyed watching the colors spread across the plate, and they love guessing what will happen before we begin. It’s a fun way to explore scientific concepts using candy, and the best part is how easy it is to set up.

Skittles Experiment Ingredients

Before you get started, make sure you have all the right supplies and ingredients.

• Skittles Experiment Worksheet PDF
• Skittles (assorted colors) – We used Original Rainbow Skittles and Wildberry Skittles (which contains the blue and pink candies).
• Warm water – And something to pour it with.
• Shallow dish – Round white dishes will show the colors best.

Watch the Video Tutorial

Watch our video below to see this experiment in action!

Instructions for Skittles Experiment with Water

The Skittles rainbow experiment is a fun way to introduce kids to basic chemistry concepts such as solubility and water movement. Follow the simple steps below to create your own rainbow magic!

STEP 1: Arrange the candy. Place the Skittles in a circle around the edge of the plate. You can arrange them in a rainbow color pattern or randomly for a surprise effect. Invite kids to draw or write in the first box of their recording sheet and predict what will happen after the water is added.

Plastic lids from food containers (we used a standard cottage cheese lid) are a budget-friendly option for conducting this experiment with a group. They’re easy to save or collect, and you can even ask families to send some in. Since they’re smaller, you’ll use fewer Skittles for each one, which helps keep costs down.

STEP 2: Add warm water. Gently pour warm water into the center of the plate until it reaches the Skittles. Be careful not to move the candies.

STEP 3: Watch what happens! Observe as the candy coating starts to dissolve and the colors spread toward the center of the plate, creating a beautiful rainbow pattern. Depending on the curve of your plate, your rainbow may form a perfect pinwheel shape, a line in the center (pictured below), or it may bend and swirl around the surface.

It took about 1 minute and 30 seconds for the rainbow to completely form in our small cottage cheese lid. Ask kids if they think the time would increase or decrease with hot and cold water.

STEP 4: Repeat the experiment and record your data. Invite your child to pour their finished experiment into a tub, then wipe their lid with a paper towel. Repeat steps 1–3, then record your data in the second box of your recording sheet.

Instructions for Skittles Experiment with Milk

Try this experiment using milk instead of water! Just set the candies in a circle on a plate, pour some warm whole milk over them, and watch how the rainbow shows up in a different way.

As the Skittles dissolve, they release a sugary liquid that’s denser than the milk. Because of that, the colors sink and spread underneath, making it look like the rainbow is forming below the surface. Ask your child how they think the Skittles milk experiment would change with 2% milk. 1%? Skim?

Skittles Experiment Explanation

Skittles are coated with sugar and food coloring. When you pour warm water over them, the sugar and color start to dissolve. As they dissolve, the color spreads out through the water to create a Skittles rainbow. This movement is called diffusion—when particles move from an area where there’s more of something (like sugar and dye near the Skittle) to where there’s less (the plain water).

Take it Further

Ready to explore more? Check out these extension ideas.

• Try using cold water instead of warm, then compare the results.
• Use different types of liquids, such as clear soda, vinegar, vegetable oil, or apple juice, to test their effects on the experiment.
• Repeat this experiment with M&Ms, Sprees, or Smarties.
• Gently blow on the water as the rainbow is forming. What happens?
• Start a stopwatch and time how long it takes for the candy rainbow to form.
• Pair this activity with a book about rainbows.
• Use this experiment as your science fair project!
• Arrange the Skittles around a cookie cutter.
• Rearrange the Skittles into different patterns or shapes, like a heart or a Christmas Tree, to see how the colors interact.

More Science Experiments for Kids

Looking for more science activities for kids? You may also enjoy:

• Exploring the foaming reaction between baking soda and vinegar.
• Trying the magic milk experiment!
• The creative STEM challenge of building something that floats.
• Learning how to raise butterflies at home.
• Making homemade bubble solution.

Save This Experiment

Save this kids Skittles experiment on Pinterest using the image below.