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This Patriotic Magic Milk is a festive 4th of July activity and science experiment for kids! It’s simple to create with just three simple kitchen items!
Looking for a last-minute super fun and easy 4th of July craft? Look no further than this patriotic magic milk activity based on the classic science experiment. We love making magic milk and made it a twist with a red, white and blue theme!
What do you need to make magic milk?
You only need milk, food coloring and dishwashing soap. You’ll also need a shallow bowl and cotton swabs.
What’s the science behind magic milk?
Milk is composed of mainly water and some fat molecules. Dish detergent molecules when coming into contact with the milk fat break down the fat creating the awesome colored milk swirls! The reason for using whole milk in this experiment is that it contains more fat = more fun dancing shapes.
What kind of milk should you use for the magic milk experiment?
Since the dishwashing detergent reacts with the fat from the milk to repel and show the cool effects of the food coloring, we recommend using full-fat milk for the best wow-inducing results!
How do you create the fireworks effects?
You can use a toothpick to create a star or fireworks effect which is perfect for celebrating the 4th of July! The results also resemble a cool tie-dye effect!
Does gel food coloring work?
No you won’t get the magical swirly effects with gel food colors. Use liquid water-based food coloring for best results.
Patriotic Magic Milk – Materials:
- Milk (full fat recommended)
- Dishwashing detergent (we used Dawn Dish soap)
- Red and Blue food coloring (must be liquid water-based not gel)
- Shallow bowl
- Cotton swabs
- Toothpicks
Patriotic Magic Milk
Materials
- Milk (full fat recommended)
- Dishwashing detergent (we used Dawn Dish soap)
- Shallow bowl
- Cotton swabs
- Toothpicks
- Red and blue food coloring (water based not gel)
Instructions
- Add milk to a shallow plate or bowl.
- Add drops of red and blue food coloring next to each other or on top is fine too.
- Dip your cotton swab in dish soap and then place over the food coloring. Hold it down to see the ripple effects.
- You can add more food coloring to the other white parts of the milk and dip your cotton swab in more dish soap to repeat the effect.
- Use a toothpick to swirl the colors out for a star effect.
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.