This cool magic milk experiment is fun to do and you likely have everything you need on hand. Got milk? Food coloring and dish soap? Then you are all set to do this colorful kitchen experiment!
Why this experiment works
Food coloring is less dense than the milk causing it to remain suspended in the fat molecules of the milk. When you add the dish soap, that breaks up the fat molecules, making the food coloring spread across the surface of the milk. Think of it like washing butter off your hands. The hand soap makes the fat in the butter separate, causing it to break up.
This magic milk experiment uses the simplest of ingredients and I’m going to bet you won’t need to go to the store!
Craft supplies you will need
Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Helpful Project Information:
- Age Level: 3 and up
- Mess Factor: Low (food coloring can stain fingers)
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Complete: less than 5 minutes
- Cost Estimate: Less than $1.00
How to Perform the Magic Milk Experiment
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!
- Pour enough milk into a shallow dish or plate to cover the bottom.
- Place several drops of food coloring into the center of the milk. Repeat with additional colors.
- Squeeze one drop of dish soap into the center of the food coloring and what the magic milk in action!
- Another alternative is to dip a cotton swab into dish soap then dip that swab into the center of the food coloring.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- If really small children will be present, they can participate by pouring milk in using a small cup.
- After the design seems to lose action, you can add another drop of dish soap near the edge and watch all over again.
- Do not use gel food coloring. The density and volume of such a food coloring is not heavier than milk and the experiment won’t work.
This magic milk experiment is super fun for both kids and adults. The first time I tried it I was just as excited as the kids were!
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Magic Milk Experiment
Supplies
- Shallow dish like a pie plate
- Milk
- Liquid food coloring
- Dish soap
- Cotton swabs
Instructions
- Pour enough milk into a shallow dish or plate to cover the bottom.
- Place several drops of food coloring into the center of the milk. Repeat with additional colors.
- Squeeze one drop of dish soap into the center of the food coloring and what the magic milk in action!
- Another alternative is to dip a cotton swab into dish soap then dip that swab into the center of the food coloring.
Video
Expert Tips & FAQs
- If really small children will be present, they can participate by pouring milk in using a small cup.
- After the design seems to lose action, you can add another drop of dish soap near the edge and watch all over again.
- Do not use gel food coloring. The density and volume of such a food coloring is not heavier than milk and the experiment won't work.
This post originally appeared here on Mar 8, 2011 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
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Bev says
Rated this project 5 but earlier I read use hand sanitizer and do they mean instead of Milk?????
Gayle Marriott says
Hi Amanda, my daughter and I tried this and it was so fun. I’ll use it for my Royal Ranger group at Church. We went a little further with it. We barely laid a piece of paper over the design, lifted it off quickly and came up with a design similar to the one in the dish. Laid it down to dry but sprinkled a little salt on it while wet and it made even a greater and brighter look.
Thank you for tis really neat idea…..God bless….
Amanda Formaro says
What an awesome idea, thanks for sharing that!
Leah says
I did this with my 2 great grandsons and they absolutely loved it. They want to do it all the time now but can’t understand why we can’t save it. We ran out of the liquid food coloring, and like someone else posted, I can not find it. I usually shop at Krogers or Wal-Mart and both of them only had the gel ! I will keep looking tho.
Thanks for sharing !
Amanda Formaro says
That’s odd! They have all kinds of it in the stores around here. Are you looking by the extracts and spices?
Lisa says
When I saw the first video, I was excited! My kids aren’t due home for another hour and a half, but I was getting the bowl out and the food coloring. Then I watched the second video where you used the qtip to create a star and I was like a little kid, sitting here going, “Whoooooa, Coool!” Thank you for the fun idea, can’t wait to hear my kids…
Amanda says
How fun! Hope you had a blast with the kids Lisa! :)
Les Créateliers says
I love this project! I posted it mon my website, you can see the page here: http://www.lescreateliers.com/Les_Createliers/Idees_Ideas/Entries/2012/11/1_Effet_marbreMarbled_effect.html
Cheers!
Marie-Eve
surferboy690 says
Thanks for the great site. I need some help with reproducing the star. No matter what variation I try, I only get results like the first set of images. Nothing even closely resembling the star. I’ve tried cold/warm milk, more/less milk, more/less soap, more/less food coloring.
Can you suggest any more details to try to produce the star? Is the heavy cream vs milk the key? Thanks!
Sabina says
Try adding HAND SANITIZER!!! Woah, that is funky! We tried it w/ the milk first and then experimented further with the hand sanitizer. It was cool to see the different reactions!
Amanda Formaro says
Oh how fun, thanks for that top Sabina, we’ll definitely try it!
Anonymous says
You are so talented!! I have been browsing through you site and you are truely gifted!! I love all the ideas and crafts!! I will definately be subscribing to you!!!
ps I love this milk and food dye idea! cant wait to share it with my kids!!!
Amanda says
Thanks everyone, so fun!
Jackie – I'm surprised you couldn't find liquid food coloring, it should be by the spices, herbs and extracts. :) Of course, assuming you are in the U.S.!
Anonymous says
WOW!!, did'nt have food coloring, sent Hubby running (ha, he drove) to store & all they had was gel, did'nt work, sent him to few more place's & only gel, geez! wuwt!!, so, could'nt do it, but, Granddaughter used it to finger paint, she was happy, will look on-line for Regular food coloring. Can't wait to try this look's like so much fun.. TY Jackie Theisen
Emily says
That is actually really cool! I've never seen that one before. Going to do it with my kids tomorrow!
KimberlyShavatt says
That is a really cool trick. I can't wait to show my kids. Thanks!!!
Anonymous says
love love love all your fun stuff! thank you for posting all these ideas and crafts!!
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
Beautiful! Every child would love this!
Josh and Melinda says
NEAT!! Kid at heart, and going to go play with the kids! I'm thinking some white tissue paper or onion skin to lay on top and 'capture' their pattern!
Miz Helen says
Hi Amanda,
What great fun! Your post is very informative and a great project for the little ones. Thank you for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and please come back!
MessyMissy says
I love this. I used it before at the craft time I host at my local library….it is *always* a success!! I would love it if you would link this up to my Marvelous Mess party. I will picking one project to feature on my sidebar for a week!! Here is the link: http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/03/marvelous-mess-3.html
Amanda says
@Anon – That's an interesting idea! I don't think it would work though, I'm thinking it would just blue together. You could certainly try it though. Let me know if it works!
Anonymous says
Oh WOW! Can you put paper on top to get a print?
Tammy says
That is so cool!
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says
This is so awesome. I'm off to try it right now!
Rachel Harwood says
SOOO much fun! I'd love for you to join my For the Kids Fridays link party!!
:)rachel at SunScholars.blogspot.com
Michelle says
Oh this is fun. What a fun St Patrick's Day craft too with the rainbow effect.
RedTedArt says
Oh my, that looks WONDERFUL and fun and so pretty! Love love love!!!
Maggy
PS thank you for linking up Kids Get Crafty!
Nicolette @ Momnivore's Dilemma says
what a great rainy day project with my rugrats! bookmarking this! thanks for sharing, amanda!
Kat says
Awesome doesn't begin to describe this. I don't even have kids and I may try this and make it just to see it react and change colors.
Deeba PAB says
This is real fun. My lad found something like this on you tube & we had a great time looking at him do it!
Denise * KKL Primitives says
How pretty ! I can see my grand kids loving this! Thanks for sharing Amanda!