Marbling eggs using whipped cream and food coloring is a great project for your little one, and the results are downright gorgeous!
Hint: You and your child should both wear disposable gloves to prevent your fingers from getting stained with food dye.
What You'll Need
- Hard boiled eggs (as many as your wish)
- Vinegar (enough to submerge your eggs)
- A shallow container
- Whipped cream
- Food coloring (neon, if you can get it)
- A toothpick or chopstick
- Disposable gloves (optional)
What to Do
Step 1: Soak your eggs in vinegar for five minutes. (Show your child the carbon dioxide bubbles that form on the shells, from the chemical reaction between vinegar and egg shells.)
Step 2: Spread a layer of whipped cream across the bottom of your shallow container, and then drip your food coloring intermittently over the whipped cream.
Step 3: Swirl the drips into patterns using a toothpick or chopstick.
Step 4: With gloves on, remove your eggs from the vinegar; blot them with a paper towel and roll them through the dyed whipped cream. Place the eggs on a plate to dry.
Step 5: When the eggs are dry, wipe the excess whipped cream and color from the shells.
The Science Behind the Fun
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You can find more experiments like this one at kitchenpantryscientist.com, and in my books Kitchen Science Lab for Kids (Quarry Books) and Outdoor Science Lab for Kids (Quarry Books).
Featured Photos Credit: Liz Heinecke
