Make Your Own Rainbow
To make your own rainbow, all you need is a plastic baggie, a sheet of white paper, some sun, and these step-by-step Raindrop in a Bag instructions from Rainbow Science author Artemis Roehrig.
Rainbow Science celebrates everything rainbow, from the science of sunlight to the prism in raindrops to how our eyes see all the colors that make up a rainbow. In this fun Raindrop in a Bag activity, kids are rainbow scientists and learn how to make their own rainbows—no (real) rain required!
Make a raindrop using a plastic baggie. Then, go test out this rainbow fact: A raindrop can make light refract.
Directions
- Fill a plastic baggie with water, and seal or twist it closed.
- Hold up a piece of white paper so the sun shines directly on it.
- Hold your baggie in the sun’s path, so the light travels through the water before hitting the paper.
- Move the baggie closer and farther away from the paper slowly until you find a rainbow.
What’s Happening?
Your water-filled plastic baggie acts like a raindrop. When the sunlight passes through the water it bends and breaks apart into the different colors of a rainbow.
Excerpted and adapted from Rainbow Science © Artemis Roehrig.
TIP: When you are done finding rainbows, you can use your water-filled baggie as a magnifying glass!
This colorful book explores the fascinating science of rainbows and includes a pair of fun prism glasses so kids can see rainbows right before their eyes!
I spy a rainbow! But where do rainbows come from? How are they made? Rainbow Science celebrates everything rainbow, from the science of sunlight to the prism in raindrops to how our eyes see all the colors that make up a rainbow, in this colorful activity book. Kids can be a rainbow scientist and learn how to search for rainbows, make their own rainbows with a hose, spin homemade color wheels, blow multicolored bubbles, make a kaleidoscope, and more. Simple materials lists and straightforward, age-appropriate experiment steps are accompanied by scientific explanations for each activity. Engaging illustrations give easy-to-understand explanations about rainbow science and the math and physics of light refraction. Tucked into the pocket on the inside front cover is a fun pair of wearable glasses so kids can see rainbows right before their eyes. This book is a celebration of rainbows for kids who love science experiments, weather, and hands-on activities!
