Having time to look through the non-fiction and craft books we've got has been a lot of fun these holidays. It's been nice to have the time and head-space to try some craft projects and even a little science.
Over the years I've been collecting DK books for the girls - science, dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, cooking and 'my first' craft books. They're full of interesting info, great photos and step by step instructions for all sorts of projects. This science experiment caught our interest last week - turning a white flower blue with the use of food colouring.
One iceberg rose, one glass of water and a few drops of blue food colouring later and ........... one definitely tinged blue flower. This photo was taken about an hour after we began.
And this was taken a week later. One very blue iceberg! You can try the same thing with any coloured food colouring, or try it with different types of flowers to see if they vary at all in taking up the colour.
The experiment shows how much the stem of a flower is like a giant straw, taking up the water through the stem to the flower for nutrients and life.
It's turned out to be an easy, fun little experiment. The options are endless with how you could extend it too. Different amounts of food colouring, water - even mixing yellow and blue. Does the white flower turn green?
Maybe try it with the little people in your life. Fun at home!
How pretty the blue looks on the white petals, and what a quick reaction! We'll try this in the Spring when we have some flowers in the garden, perhaps on a few then press them.
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