Marker Chromatography

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

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 CLASSIC Crayola Markers, draw a line across the strip about 2 inches (5 cm) from the bottom.

2. Fill a container with water. Place only the white space under the black 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.

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

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Important Papers Pouch

High-Ceiling Mosaic

Heart Pouches

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Markers
• Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

• recycled newspaper
• paper towels
• wax paper
• container(s) of water

"This was a fun science experiment that the kids could do all by themselves! "
Brady H., scout leader

"We used the strips for monster hair, stick figures, and letters…and the kids are still experimenting! "
Marcus L, father of 5- and 8-year-olds.

With art supplies, there are three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. You can mix these colors together to make all the other colors but no colors can be mixed together to make red, yellow, and blue. Look for the primary colors that separate out of the marker color! You can remember the colors of the rainbow with the acronym ROY G BIV, where each letter stands for the name of a color.