Primary Color Camp: Food Dye Flowers
A classic activity for kids with the most beautiful end result.
by Team Primary
We're refreshing a classic science fair activity as today's Color Camp how-to, and we're happy to report it's just as much fun as we remember. Guaranteed to be less messy than the baking soda and vinegar volcano, we're using simple food coloring to dye flowers! Check out this easy 3-step tutorial and make any bunch of flowers extra special. We wrote this with our color of the week, red in mind, but kids can use any color(s) of dye they like.
Materials
- White herbaceous stemmed flower like daffodils, chrysanthemums, tulips, or carnations
- Vase, glass, or cup
- Food coloring
- Scissors
Step 1: Add 8 oz of fresh water and 20-25 drops of food coloring to a vase
You can really add as much dye as you like – the more the better since it will make the color stronger in the petals.
Step 2: Cut about 1 inch off the bottom of the stem at a 45 degree angle and place flowers in the water.
Image from Mini Nanny Agency
Cutting the stems on a diagonal lets the flowers absorb the water and food dye faster.
Step 3: Observe and repeat with different colors and flowers!
Image from Mini Nanny Agency
Experiment with different types of flowers and different combinations of food coloring to make a whole rainbow of flowers. Change water (with out without food dye) after a few days to help keep them fresh!
While you wait for your flowers to transform, shop our red styles for kids and baby and experiment with different amounts of dye to match all the different Primary shades.
Share your flowers with us on social at @primarydotcom with #yesprimary and #primarycolorcamp for a chance to be featured! Check out our entire lineup of easy, DIY Color Camp activities for kids, and don’t forget to visit the Camp Shop for outfits, essentials, and more camp picks from Team Primary.