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 indictor testing. One cabbage, two experiments. We love science experiments here and I hope you do too.
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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 indictor.
What you need:
- head or red cabbage
- boiling water
- vinegar
- baking soda
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How to Make Water Change Color
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. 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.
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Add a little baking soda.
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.
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 (Red Cabbage)
Materials
- head or red cabbage
- boiling water
- vinegar
- baking soda
Tools
- clear glasses/jars
- kettle
Instructions
- 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.
- Now strain the water off your cabbage and into either clear small jars or into glasses.
- Pour a little white vinegar into your cabbage water.
- Add a little baking soda.
- 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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