Here’s an easy experiment for summer that doubles as a refreshing drink! Make colouring changing lemonade with your kids on a hot day and amaze and refresh them!

What is STEAM?

STEAM education–learning that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics– is an integrative education model not only focused on the importance of the individual subjects, but also how they come together to provide a rounded education

Summer STEAM

This super easy summer science activity is perfect for kids of all ages. We did this while at the cottage this summer. The kids were playing outside in the lake and I knew they would be all coming in soon for snacks and water. So I decided that while they had snacks we could also prepare the first part of this experiment together so that we could enjoy the experiment at dinner!

I did the chopping of the red cabbage this time, but if we were at home and had access to our kid knives, I would have let them help out too. Instead them tore up some pieces with their hands. Once the cabbage water was ready they also helped pour it into the ice cube tray (which was super messy but fun). They, of course, were able to help out making the lemonade and the final and most crucial step – drinking the lemonade!

Does the Cabbage Effect the Taste of the Lemonade?

The first question that is probably coming to your mind is: does the lemonade taste like cabbage? Does the cabbage ice effect the taste of the lemonade? And the answer is no! There was no discernible cabbage taste in the lemonade and my toughest critic -my kids, loved it! If you would like another method of making color changing lemonade, without cabbage try using butterfly pea tea.

And check out my short form crafting series Curious Crafting on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Watch all the episodes here. Look for season 2 coming next year!

How to Make Colour Changing Lemonade

1. Cut about a quarter of a red cabbage up into small pieces and place it in a large pot filled with water.

2. Bring the pot to boil over the stove. Boil the cabbage for about 5-7 minutes or until the water is a deep purple.

3. Discard the cabbage and set the liquid aside to cool.
4. Once cool enough, pour it into an ice cube tray and put it into the freezer for at least 4 hours or until frozen.

5. Make your lemonade (let’s be real mine was from concentrate, be freshly squeezed would be wonderful as well). If you are looking for a great fresh lemonade recipe, try this one here.

6. Once the cabbage ice cubes are frozen, place one ice cube into a glass of lemonade and watch it change from yellow to pink!

7. Once the lemonade is a deep pink colour you can remove the ice cube and either use it again for another glass or discard it.

Science Behind Color Changing Lemonade

Red cabbage contains a pigment called anthocyanin which has the ability to indicate whether something is an acid or a base. In a base it appears blue and in an acid it appears pink! The anthocyanin turns your yellow acidic lemonade pink.

Age Suitability of Colour Changing Lemonade

This activity is good for kids 3 years and up. My kids are 4, 4, and 8 year old.

Mess Level

This is a mess level is low.

Difficulty to Create

Easy.

Skills Developed in Colour Changing Lemonade

Language development, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imaginative play, creativity.

Supplies for Colour Changing Lemonade

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)

• Red cabbage
• Child Safe Knives
• Large pot
• Water
• Ice cube tray
• Lemonade

Check out My Books, TV Show & Play Kits!

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon. 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids – coming out September 27, 2022

Book: STEAM Crafts for Kids – coming out November 29, 2022

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to finally share my new crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched July 1 at on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube!

This show is all about fun and easy crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.

Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop our ready made play kits here.

WILL YOU TRY COLOUR CHANGING LEMONADE WITH YOUR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER