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September 23, 2020

Leaf Chromatography Science Experiment for Kids

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, “Why do leaves change color?” This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart.

I think all kids are fascinated with the natural change of leafy, green, summer leaves, to orange, yellow, and brown fall leaves. When the leaves start to change we always gather as many different colored leaves as we can. After extracting chlorophyll with our Easy Fall Leaf Science Experiment and using markers to create Fall Leaf Absorption Art we decided to see if we could get the pigments in the leaves to separate through chromatography so we could take a closer look at the colors found inside leaves. Watch the kids do the whole LEAF CHROMOTAGRPHY EXPERIMENT on YouTube so your kids can do it too.

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

Chromatography is “a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. The mixture is dissolved in a fluid called the mobile phase, which carries it through a structure holding another material called the stationary phase. The various constituents of the mixture travel at different speeds, causing them to separate.” Wikipedia

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

The different colors found in leaves are created by different chemicals. I created this handy chart to list the different chemicals and what colors they create in leaves. Green is from chlorophyll, yellow is from flavonoids, orange is from carotenoids, and red is from anthocyanins . You can DOWNLOAD and print the chart or pin to reference back to it later.

Why do leaves change color? A chart with the types of chemicals found in leaves that explain why they can be green, yellow, orange, and red.

Don’t see the box? CLICK HERE to be directed to the download. Please share and pin our printable 🙂  While you are here, take a look at more of our Free Printables.

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Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)Goodbye Summer, Hello AutumnGoodbye Summer, Hello AutumnGoodbye Summer, Hello AutumnTrees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (Smithsonian)Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (Smithsonian)Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (Smithsonian)Leaf Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles Educational Learning Stem Toys Boys Girls Birthday Gift Colorful ShapeLeaf Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles Educational Learning Stem Toys Boys Girls Birthday Gift Colorful ShapeLeaf Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles Educational Learning Stem Toys Boys Girls Birthday Gift Colorful ShapeSUPLA Fall Tree of Thanks Craft Kit Felt Fall Tree Board with 52 pcs Detachable Autumn Leaf Ornaments Autumn Bulletin Board for Kids Classroom Craft Thanksgiving ActivitySUPLA Fall Tree of Thanks Craft Kit Felt Fall Tree Board with 52 pcs Detachable Autumn Leaf Ornaments Autumn Bulletin Board for Kids Classroom Craft Thanksgiving ActivitySUPLA Fall Tree of Thanks Craft Kit Felt Fall Tree Board with 52 pcs Detachable Autumn Leaf Ornaments Autumn Bulletin Board for Kids Classroom Craft Thanksgiving ActivityWooden leaf fall Lacing Toy Game set Learning toy Threading setWooden leaf fall Lacing Toy Game set Learning toy Threading setWooden leaf fall Lacing Toy Game set Learning toy Threading set

 

Leaf Chromatography Science Experiment

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

SUPPLIES:

  • Rubbing Alcohol-affiliate link
  • Blender (I used our little Immersion Hand Blender-affiliate link)
  • Glass Jar
  • Safety Goggles-affiliate link (optional)
  • 1 inch thick and 9 inches long-strips of paper towel
  • Leaves (Having leaves with lots of different colors is really fun but you could also use just green leaves and look at the different shades of green from the chlorophyll)
  • Tape (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Watch our short tutorial video below.

Grab the kids and watch our FULL TUTORIAL on YOUTUBE HERE so you can do the experiment with us.

You can print the directions at the end of this post to make science time easy.

Gather leaves from outside. Make sure they are leaves you can touch safely. If possible, gather leaves that are different colors.

Break the leaves up into tiny pieces and put them into a jar. Try to leave the stems out, but if some get in the jar it is no big deal.

Option: We put different colored leaves all together in one jar. If you have several leaves of the same color you could keep them separate and use one jar per color (Red leaves in one jar, yellow leaves in a second jar… and so forth) You would just need to repeat the experiment for each jar.

Use the blender to break up the leaves more.

Carefully pour the rubbing alcohol into the jar so the leaves are covered.

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

Fold the paper towel at the top so it can hang over the top of the jar. You can cut off the excess paper towel. We used a piece of tape to secure the paper towel so it wouldn’t fall into the jar. You want the paper towel to be in a vertical position. Let is sit undisturbed. We left ours overnight, however the experiment is done when the paper towel is dry.

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

Observe the strips of paper towel. Did the pigments separate? What colors do you see? Are some parts lighter and some parts darker? Refer back to the chart to talk about your findings and what types of chemicals can be found on your paper towel from the leaves.

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

PRINT THE DIRECTIONS:

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)
Print

Leaf Chromatography Science Experiment for Kids

With this easy science experiment, children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?"
Keyword: Fall, Science

Materials

  • Rubbing Alcohol-affiliate link
  • Blender (I used our little Immersion Hand Blender-affiliate link)
  • Glass Jar
  • Safety Goggles-affiliate link (optional)
  • 1 inch thick and 9 inches long-strips of paper towel
  • Leaves (Having leaves with lots of different colors is really fun but you could also use just green leaves and look at the different shades of green from the chlorophyll)
  • Tape (optional)

Instructions

  • Gather leaves from outside. Make sure they are leaves you can touch safely. If possible, gather leaves that are different colors.
    Break the leaves up into tiny pieces and put them into a jar. Leave the stems out.
    Option: We put different colored leaves all together in one jar. If you have several leaves of the same color you could keep them separate and use one jar per color (Red leaves in one jar, yellow leaves in a second jar… and so forth) You would just need to repeat the experiment for each jar.
    Use the blender to break up the leaves more.
    Carefully pour the rubbing alcohol into the jar so the leaves are covered.
    Fold the paper towel at the top so it can hang over the top of the jar. We used a piece of tape to secure the paper towel so it wouldn't fall into the jar. You want the paper towel to be in a vertical position. Let is sit undisturbed. We left ours overnight, however the experiment is done when the paper towel is dry.
    Observe the strips of paper towel. Did the pigments separate? What colors do you see? Are some parts lighter and some parts darker? Refer back to the chart to talk about your findings and what types of chemicals can be found on your paper towel from the leaves.

ADD TO THE FUN WITH THESE IDEAS:

All About Plants Activities (Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade)

All About Plants

16 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids to Make this Fall: Easy craft ideas including turkeys, Mayflowers, Native Americans, fall trees, pumpkins, and more. (preschool, kindergarten, first grade)

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Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

Fall STEAM Art

With this easy science experiment children can see the different pigments found in leaves to help answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" This activity includes a free printable leaf color chart. (#kidsactivity #science #scienceexperiment #Fall #homeschool)

Filed Under: Botany, Fall, First Grade, Kindergarten, Learn, Plants, Science, Science Printables, Second Grade

Top Resources

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Printable Activity Pack: This adorable pack of engaging activities will teach children letters, numbers, phonics, fine motor skills, shapes, life cycle of a butterfly, nutrition, days of the week, and more. It makes teaching and learning fun and easy. (#preschool #kindergarten #printables #kidsactivities #homeschool) The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activity Pack $10.00 $6.99 + tax
  • Interactive Calendar for Kids: Print and assemble to teach kids days of the week, months, years, and holidays. #homeschoom #preschool #kindergarten Interactive Calendar for Kids *UPDATED* $5.00 $4.50 + tax
  • Alphabet Road Letter Mats: As students race around each track, they will practice letter identification and letter formation. Each track has green dots to guide children where to start, arrows to point them in the right direction, and stop signs to help them know when they have reached the end. (#preschool, #kindergarten #alphabet #homeschool #kidsactivity) Alphabet Road Letter Mats Printable Kids Activity $3.99 $2.99 + tax
  • Alphabet Phonics Spinners: If you are at home or school this set of Alphabet Phonics Spinners makes learning letter sounds fun and engaging. (#Phonics #kidsactivity #homeschool #preschool #kindergarten #alphabet) Alphabet Phonics Spinners Printable Kids Activity $3.99 $2.99 + tax

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  • These little bugs took no time at all to make and are a pretty self-guided craft for kids. Little Tiger finished chopping potatoes while helping me make dinner and found our bags full of lids on the counter (3 bags to be exact–no lid gets left behind in our house :). Before long I looked over and there were 3 bugs staring back at me and no mess in sight! Since the little bugs sitting on my counter make me smile when I look at them I thought you should have some too.
  • This activity helps kids learn to count to 100, introduces them to place values, helps with number recognition and number relationships while allowing them to be actively involved as they learn instead of just staring at a chart with lots of numbers which can be overwhelming.
  • We love stars around here so naturally one of our favorite things that live in the ocean is starfish aka sea stars. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and textures so we have provided you with a free craft template to make a big, medium, and small size starfish craft with your kids. We also show you how to take your craft to the next level by giving it texture and folding it to give it dimension, and if you want you can give it added color with paint. Each one will turn out amazing!
  • When this sunset Tissue Paper Craft is hung in a window it magically seems to glow resembling the beauty of a real sunset on the horizon. No glue or scissor skills are required, so this craft is easy to clean up and perfect for kids of all ages!
  • One of the most beloved children’s authors has to be Dr. Seuss who happens to have a birthday coming up on March 2nd. Did you know he wasn’t technically a doctor?– but that’s okay we still love him anyways! To start celebrating my kids picked out Horton Hears a Who!
  • The set comes in a print-in-color or a color-me (coloring book) version. You can print the set out and assemble it, or extend this activity further by letting your students color their own spinner increasing their recognition of each picture.
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