Candy Cane Science Experiment

The Christmas season is here and school time is still running!!  Candy seems to be popping up everywhere...here's a fun science experiment to learn a little more about all that sugar! It's a colorful, sugary science project that the kids will love.

 Depending on your children's age and ability, you can use this experiment to talk about dissolving, polarity of water (and how it is the "universal solvent," density,  experiment variables, or the structure of candies.  You can expand and enrich this experiment in many days--click here to download a free preschool-appropriate worksheet to do with your child!  The best part is that even preschoolers can perform each step of this experiment!

Simple Supplies:

* warm water

* "mini candy canes

* small bowls

Easy How-To:

1-  Fill small bowl about 1/2 full with warm water.  The warmer your water, the faster your reaction.

2- Unwrap the candy cane and place it in the warm water.  It should be completely covered.

3- In less than a minute, you should see little bubbles rising off the candy cane as the water dissolves the sugar.

4- In about five minutes, the red strip should be completely dissolved.  Most of the red dyes will sink to the bottom of the bowl.  You may see some at the top of the water as well.  (Note: Candy canes are made white, and the stripes are added as one of the last steps!)

5- After about 25 minutes, the entire candy cane will be completely dissolved!!

6- Let your child choose ways to change the variables in the experiment...does cold water affect anything?  Do M&M's behave the same way?  Does adding salt do anything?  Will it dissolve in oil?  Remember this is an experiment, not just a demonstration: let your child try changing things up to see what he or she will learn!



If you love science, be sure to check out my collection of over 150 tested and proven preschool science activities and preschool science experiments!  There is something here for everyone!

For more candy cane fun, be sure to check out my Science Experiment: Bend Your Candy Cane too!

And for more Christmas activities, try the Magnetic Christmas Tree, Penguin Ornaments, Button Tree Ornaments, {FREE} Which One is Different Christmas Cards,  Sandpaper Christmas Trees, Easy Christmas Ornament for preschoolers, and 20+ Christmas Busy Bags & Bins! 

Do you love Christmas-themed science experiments?  If so, be sure to check out my eBook, 25 Christmas Science Projects for Kids!

I also have more than a dozen fun Christmas science experiments and Christmas STEM activities in this FREE collection:

And for more Christmas activities, try the Magnetic Christmas Tree, Penguin Ornaments, Button Tree Ornaments, {FREE} Which One is Different Christmas Cards,  Sandpaper Christmas Trees, Easy Christmas Ornament for preschoolers, and 20+ Christmas Busy Bags & Bins! 

Just in case your house isn't over-flowing with candy canes already, here are two affiliate links for your convenience.  The first has mini candy canes and the second has big candy canes...you can use either!  The rainbow candy canes make a cool effect as they dissolve!

Happy Educating, Carla