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Marker Chromatography

Marker Chromatography

Try this cool color experiment that combines art AND science! Explore the wonder of colors that spread out from a Crayola Marker!

Ages: 8 and up, 6 and up

CIY Staff

Create It Yourself

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Markers
  • Newspaper
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Cup(s)
  • Water
  • Wax Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Cover your crafting area with newspaper. Add a layer of wax paper on top. Cut long strips about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide from a paper towel. With a brown, purple, or green Crayola Marker, draw a line across the strip about 2 inches (5 cm) from the bottom.

  • Step 2

    Fill a container with water. Place only the white space under the marker line into the water. Drape the rest of the strip over the edge of the dish, with the end resting on the wax paper. Watch the color spread as the water is drawn to the dry area of the paper towel.

  • Step 3

    Air-dry the strips. Use them in art projects—or as a science fair experiment with several colors. Find out why the colors separated the way they did! How many creative ways can you use the strips?

Crafts

CIY Staff Tips

Use your imagination and have fun making your craft as creative as you are—there’s no wrong way to do it!

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