Rainbow STEM activities are the perfect way to bring a bit of color into the STEM classroom and a welcome addition to creative STEM activities. Try these rainbow STEM challenges with your classroom or kids at home this year!
If you like these rainbow STEM activities, you’ll also want to check out these spring STEM activities and spring science experiments.
We also have a lot of fun weather science experiments!
We’ll get to the list of rainbow STEAM activities in a bit, but first, read why I am so passionate about hands-on, colorful STEM activities for kids!
Why Do Rainbow STEM Projects?
A rainbow is beautiful and a lot of fun for most kids. There is something a bit magical about the apperance of a rainbow, even though it is easily explained by science.
Because most kids are so fascinated by rainbows, they make an excellent place to start teaching scientific concepts about weather, light, the atmosphere, and a whole lot more!
Kids of all ages will enjoy science a lot more if there are fun hands-on elements and bright rainbow colors.
That’s why things like our summer STEM camp are filled with rainbow colors!
In elementary science class and STEM labs, the more color and fun the better for everyone.
Rainbow STEM Lessons
A STEM lesson needs to include elements of science, technology, engineering, and math. Art is also sometimes included to make a rainbow STEAM activity.
You can teach a lot about science using rainbows. You can teach kids about light, reflections, color mixing, color theory, symmetry in math, the light spectrum, and just about any other scientific concept!
I like to add a bit of rainbow flair to science experiments that don’t necessarily need the color just to keep things fun for elementary kids.
Kids that work with color and fun in science class are more likely to like it as they get older!
Supplies to Use in Rainbow STEAM Activities
You can turn almost any STEM activity into a rainbow STEM activity.
We like to keep these supplies on hand to use with our rainbow STEM projects:
The Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsBall Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces (4-Pack)
Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil, 32 Ounce
Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick & Rich Shaving Cream 10 Oz (2 Pack)
Alka-Seltzer PFY BXAS50 80659297 Antacid and Pain Relief Medicine, Two-Pack (Pack of 50)
Kadaon 10X Handheld Magnifier Antique Mahogany Handle Magnifier Reading Magnifying Glass for Reading Book, Inspection, Coins, Insects, Rocks, Map, Crossword Puzzle
BORAX 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster, Powder, 4 Pounds
Fine Ground Celtic Sea Salt – (1) 16 Ounce Resealable Bag of Nutritious, Classic Sea Salt, Great for Cooking, Baking, Pickling, Finishing and More, Pantry-Friendly, Gluten-Free
McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Food Coloring – 12 Color Vibrant Cake Food Coloring Set for Baking, Decorating, Fondant and Cooking – Upgraded Liquid Concentrated Icing Food Color Dye for Slime Making, DIY Crafts – .25 fl. oz. Each
30% Pure Vinegar – Home&Garden (1 Gallon)
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 5 lb
Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)
Rainbow STEM Project Tips
When you are completing rainbow STEM projects, the secret to pretty rainbows is to keep the colors bright and the colors separate.
We almost always use gel food coloring or liquid watercolors when we complete our rainbow STEM activities.
These materials produce bright colors that mix well and can turn into almost any color imaginable.
Rainbow STEM Activities Perfect for Elementary Classrooms
If you want to try adding a bit of rainbow flair to your classroom or home this spring (or any time of year!), you won’t want to miss trying some of our favorite rainbow STEAM activities!
Kids in elementary will have a blast with these hands-on rainbow STEM activities with a colorful twist.
Pick a few rainbow STEM lessons to try and send some ideas home with your students so they can try these rainbow STEM projects at home, too!
Rainbow STEM Activities for Elementary
Elementary kids will have a blast with these rainbow STEM activities! Pick your favorites to try one day or pick several to spread out during the entire spring season!
Design a Light-Up Unicorn Horn Craft with Squishy Circuits
Nothing makes circuits more fun than rainbow unicorns.
Mirror Reflection Symmetry Math Project
Learn about symmetry and reflection when you make this mirror reflection symmetry math project! Make it rainbow colors for more fun!
How to Make Crystals without Borax
This method for making crystal rainbows is tons of fun and uses just two ingredients: Salt and Water!
Flower Color Mixing Activity for Preschoolers
If you are working on color identification and color mixing, this color mixing flower is a fun way to bring the concept to life!
Rainbow Bead Sensory Slime for Preschool
This slime recipe has rainbow beads included that make it perfect for sensory input. You can also use the beads to make structures, practice math, and learn about patterns and sorting!
Rainbow Rubber Eggs Naked Egg Experiment
Kids will love this rainbow variation on the classic naked eggs experiment. Don't just try the rubber egg experiment without color, make rainbow rubber eggs instead!
Rainbow Flowers Capillary Action Experiment
Making rainbow flowers is one of my favorite science experiments of all time. It is so fun to see capillary action at work and see the transformation of colors in the flower blooms. Use carnations for best results.
Sugar Rainbow Density Tower Experiment
This sugar density tower uses sugar to keep the layers separated. It is so beautiful and fun for kids to make!
Walking Rainbow Experiment Science Project
Learn about how to make secondary colors by making the walking rainbow science project! Kids will love creating new colors from the three basic primary colors.
Colorful Rainbow Density Jar Science Experiment for Kids
This version of a density tower uses a variety of liquids to create a rainbow of color inside of a jar! It's a fun way to explore density in the kitchen.
Colorful Rainbow Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment for Kids!
Kids will love using baking soda and vinegar reactions to reveal the rainbow colors hiding under the baking soda! This activity is super fun for younger kids, but older kids will love it too!
Exploding Rainbow Easter Egg Explosion
If you make rainbow rubber eggs, another fun experiment to learn about physics and patterns is to make these exploding rubber eggs!
Magic Milk Rainbow Science Experiment
Magic milk is a fascinating experiment that kids of all ages love. You can teach surface tension and how soap works in the same experiment.
How to Make Rainbow Glitter Slime with Clear Glue
Glitter slime is a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Use this simple tutorial to make foolproof rainbow glitter slime.
How to Make Fluffy Rainbow Slime (without the mess)
Fluffy rainbow slime is a fun twist on classic rainbow slime. The fluffy version is more like putty, and less messy!
How to Make Rainbow Unicorn Poop Slime
Once you make rainbow slime, why not make unicorn poop slime? It's a fun way to teach non-Newtonian fluids to kids.
How to Make a LEGO Rainbow
Follow this tutorial to learn how to make a rainbow from LEGO!
Build a Perler Bead Rainbow Engineering Challenge
Kids can practice design skills when they design and create a melty brad rainbow.
How to Make the Best Rainbow Slime
This rainbow slime is one of the most popular posts on STEAMsational. Kids of all ages love the simple recipe and bright colors.
How to Make a Unicorn Rainbow Scribble Bot
Why make your own rainbow when you can make a unicorn draw a rainbow for you? This motor project is a super fun STEM project for kids.
