How To Make Rainbows Kids Science Activities

Rainbows are gorgeous and sometimes we are lucky enough to see one in the sky! But you can also make rainbows for easy kid’s science activities at home or school. Explore light and refraction when you make rainbows using a variety of simple supplies. Awesome hands-on science activity of kids of all ages. Learn how to make rainbows for your Spring science themes. Enjoy science experiments and STEM activities all year round.

How To Make Rainbows Science Activities for Kids

HOW TO MAKE RAINBOWS, EXPLORE LIGHT AND REFRACTION

What happens when light bends? You can make rainbows! When the light bends through a specific medium such as water or a prism/crystal the light bends {or in science terms refracts} and the spectrum of colors that make up a rainbow become visible.

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FUN WAYS TO MAKE RAINBOWS

Kids can make rainbows with simple supplies. It’s tons of fun and can lead to so many types of exploration. I was very impressed when my son already knew about bending light. Kids absorb so much more than we realize from everyday conversations.

SUPPLIES: 

• CDs
• Flashlight
• Colored Pencils
• Prism or Crystal
• Water and Cup
• White Paper

BEND LIGHT. EXPLORE REFRACTION. MAKE RAINBOWS

Check out how we make rainbows with the activities below. We used a crystal, CD, flashlight, and a cup of water to bend light and make simple rainbows quickly and easily. Find fun ways to use these supplies to check out rainbow science at home or at school.

CD AND FLASHLIGHT

Make awesome rainbows using a small flashlight and a CD. Super easy way to make rainbows that gives a bold beautiful rainbow each time.

CRYSTAL AND NATURAL LIGHT

Use a crystal or a prism and natural sunlight to make rainbows everywhere. We made tiny rainbows all over the ceilings and walls as the light bent on all the different faces of the crystal. I can’t wait to try with a prism next time.

CD RAINBOW STEAM

Combine rainbows and art with this simple STEAM idea. Different angles, different hues! Always changing but a fun way to combine art and rainbow science.

CRYSTAL AND CD RAINBOW

Combine the crystal and CD to make colorful rainbows. Also, use the crystal to check out the colored pencil rainbow drawings!

FLASHLIGHT, CUP OF WATER, AND PAPER

Place a clear cup filled with water on top of a box or container. Have a white sheet of paper handy {or a few}. Place the paper out on the floor and tape to the wall. Use the flashlight to make neat rainbows by shining it into the water at different angles. Tough to capture with our camera, but you can get an idea. Which angle works best? Light bends through the water.

EXPLORE LIGHT SCIENCE

Give your kid a flashlight and the play and discovery opportunities are endless. You can also make shadow puppets while you make easy rainbows! Who knew! He had an awesome time bending light.

There is really no wrong way to experiments with these rainbow science ideas. Step back and let your child enjoy making rainbows with light. make sure to keep your eyes open for a rainbow after a rain shower too. Great way to put the two ideas together!

Make Rainbows for Simple Kid’s Science!

Even more fun ways to explore rainbows with STEM. Click here or on the photograph below.

Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges? 

We have you covered…

Click below to get your quick and easy STEM challenges.