Here’s a fun science experiment for kids all about rainbows! Have fun making rainbow reflections and exploring all the colors and designs that are created!
Are you following our Science for Kids Pinterest board?
It’s time for some more fun science for kids! Last week we experimented with plant pigments. This week are going to experiment with rainbow reflections! (This post contains affiliate links.)
Materials for Rainbow Reflection Science for Kids
- Flashlight
- CD
- Blank white paper
Procedure for Exploring Rainbow Reflections
- Look carefully at the blank side of a CD. What do you see? What happens when you tilt it back and forth?
- Find a dark room in your house. Place the CD on the floor.
- Tape a piece of white paper to your wall. Aim the flashlight at the CD so that it makes the rainbow reflect onto your blank paper. What colors do you see? What different patterns can you make by moving the flashlight around?
Question to Spark More Curiosity & Critical Thinking
How do you think the colors are getting onto the paper?
Experiment with changing the distance from the CD to the paper. What happens? Why?
Lucy’s Observations & Comments: “I saw the rainbow come up and go on the wall.” “The rainbow is reflecting off the CD!” “There’s so many different kinds of rainbows.”
What’s Going On
White light (like light from the flashlight) is made up of 7 colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). The CD separates the white light into the 7 colors that make it up, where they then reflect onto the wall. A CD is made of aluminum (and covered with a clear coat of plastic.) It also has ridges in the metal which the light reflects off of.
Want to go even further?
Even more activities to inspire creativity and critical thinking for various ages:
- Have someone hold the flashlight for you. Use some crayons to trace the rainbow pattern made by the reflection.
- On a sunny day, spray a hose outside. Can you see a rainbow in the spray of water?
- Can you find other items in your home that might cause a rainbow reflection?
Be sure not to miss these other fun science activities on Buggy and Buddy:
- Exploring Surface Tension with Paperclips
- Create a Homemade Marble Run
- 10 Easy to Set Up Science Experiments for Kids
Related Posts
Science Activities for Kids: Mirrors and Reflections
7 of Our Favorite Rainbow Crafts and Rainbow Learning Activities
Rainbow Science: Creating Light Patterns with a CD
Bubble Science (Plus~ Make Your Own Bubble Solution and Bubble Blower)
Rainbow Science Activities for Kids
Science for Kids: Chemical Reactions Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Exploring Fingerprints (Science for Kids)
Light Science for Kids: Ways to Explore Refraction and Reflection
Amy @ Molly Learns says
May 19, 2013 at 7:01 amHow clever! We love flashlight play. Great blog. . .I just subscribed!
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:36 pmThank you and welcome! So glad you are here! We love anything with flashlights too~ makes everything even more thrilling!
Mum of One says
May 20, 2013 at 8:08 amThis is so brilliant. Thanks for sharing with the Pin It Party. I am now following ALL of your boards! Hope that doesn’t sound too stalker like but am so delighted to have come across your blog 🙂
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:34 pmThank you so much!!! You just made my day! 🙂
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says
May 20, 2013 at 5:54 pmChelsey, I love all the activities you’ve posted in this series. You have really clever and simple ideas that anyone can replicate with their little ones. My little guy would be fascinated by this investigation. Can’t wait to try it with him. 🙂
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:32 pmThank you so much, Ann. I just love science, and it’s been so fun sharing my love of it with the kids. Hope you enjoy trying it!
maggy, red ted art says
May 23, 2013 at 6:33 amWonderful exploration for kids.
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Carrie says
May 23, 2013 at 7:53 amSo neat and fun!! My daughter would love this! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
Andrea @ No Doubt Learning says
May 24, 2013 at 7:44 amWe tried this when my kids were younger and it was PURE entertainment.
Julie says
May 24, 2013 at 1:07 pmMy kids love rainbows. I love how you created them. We have seen them in oily puddles.
Ticia says
May 26, 2013 at 1:14 pmNow I’m trying to remember if I did something similar in physics or chemistry, it seems like it would be a chemistry lesson……
Lula B @ www.navigatingbyjoy.com says
May 27, 2013 at 7:16 amWhat a simple yet ingenious idea! My daughter’s been playing with a prism recently, she will like this too. Thank you for sharing. Lucinda (via Hobbies & Handicrafts)
Ana says
February 23, 2014 at 7:18 amI love this! Great ideas for further exploration too!