What You Need

• Pie plate
• Whole milk (about a cup, at room temperature)
• Food coloring
• Liquid soap

How to Do this Activity

Have your child pour the milk into the pie plate. Then, ask him to choose a bottle of food coloring and squeeze a few drops into the milk. Set the stage for scientific thinking by asking, “What do you think will happen when we add the soap?” Then, put one drop of liquid soap into the milk and watch the colors bend and twist! Ask things like, “What happened to the colors?” and “Do you see any new colors?”

What Your Child Learns

This activity builds your child's powers of observation and critical thinking. As you ask questions and watch changes occur, your child learns to slow down, really observe, and develop a sense of wonder.