What happens when you drop M&Ms into water? Watch the colors create a rainbow and discover the magic of a floating “M” in this sweet and simple m&m science experiment! It’s a fun, hands-on science experiment for various ages!
Explore Science With M&M’s
Candy science is hands-on learning that’s tasty, fun, and educational too! Of course, you might have to try a piece or two in the process, like we did with our Candy Taste Test Experiment! Now, that was a science for the senses!
Our latest candy science experiment with leftover candy is to see if we could get a floating M off of an M&M. Find out the science behind how the M floats below. Is it magic?
Can you make a m float for your next kitchen science experiment? Dig into your kid’s candy bucket to find out! There’s so much to learn that is already available at your fingertips. Set up simple science anytime at home.
M&M Science Experiment
Here is another fun M&M experiment to try! Why do the M&M colors not mix?
Watch The Video:
Supplies:
- M&M’s in all colors. Making a rainbow is fun!
- Water
- Shallow bowl or mini cups (you can try this in individual cups like you see below or in one cup like the video)
Set up the m&m experiment
STEP 1. First, you need to fill your container{s} with water.
STEP 2. Place M&M’s m side up in the water.
What happens to the M&M? It sinks! Have your kids predict what they think will happen before dropping the candy into the water.
💡Explore the scientific method, including variables and hypotheses!
Or try a single cup version for a fun and unique effect too!
TIP: The floating m doesn’t happen immediately, but the color dissolving off of the M&M happened almost immediately. You may have to wait up to 10 minutes to see this happen.
Floating M Experiment Science Information
Did you know that M&M candies can create a colorful science experiment? The materials used to color the candy shells dissolve quickly in water, creating a rainbow effect. But what about the chocolate? While it doesn’t dissolve as quickly, we were curious to see if the iconic “M” would float—and it did!
Observations from Our Experiment
- The first M&M to float: The red one! However, not all colors floated right away.
- The last M&M to float: The blue one.
- Timing: It took about 10 minutes for the first “M” to float and around 20 minutes for all of them to appear. While we didn’t use a stopwatch, adding one could make this a fun STEM extension to explore timing and patterns.
The Science Behind It
The colored coating on M&M candies dissolves in water because it’s hydrophilic (water-loving). This creates a vibrant rainbow of colors as the dye spreads out. The chocolate underneath, however, is slower to dissolve due to its fat content. The “M” is made from edible paper and doesn’t dissolve in water, so it separates from the candy as the outer layers break down, eventually floating to the surface.
Extension Ideas for STEM Learning
- Use a stopwatch: Record the time it takes for each color’s “M” to float and compare results.
- Temperature test: Try using warm and cold water to see if the speed of dissolving changes.
- Color observation: Note if certain colors dissolve faster than others and hypothesize why.
💡This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the scientific method!
This experiment combines chemistry, observation skills, and a bit of patience, making it a great activity for curious minds!
More Fun Science Experiments To Try
You can find over 50 science projects for kids. Here are a few of our favorites…
- Skittles Experiment
- Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano
- Lava Lamp Experiment
- Growing Borax Crystals
- Pop Rocks and Soda
- Magic Milk Experiment
- Egg In Vinegar Experiment
- Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment
Printable Science Projects For Kids
If you’re looking to grab all of the printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets, our Science Project Pack is what you need!
What fun!
Great love it