Egg dyeing activity to a whole new level this year, get ready for some fun with oil and vinegar science!
If you have a science enthusiast on your hands, you need to learn how to make marbleized eggs with oil and vinegar. Add it to your collection of easy Science Activities for a real treat this season!
How To Dye Eggs With Oil And Vinegar:
Let’s get right to make these gorgeous and colorful marbled Easter eggs. Head to the kitchen, open the fridge and grab the eggs, food coloring, oil, and vinegar. Make sure to have a good workspace prepared and paper towels!
Your good old food coloring from the grocery is an acid-base dye and the vinegar traditionally used to dye eggs helps the food coloring to bond to the eggshell. We know that oil is less dense than water. You will notice the oil floats on top of the water.
When you put the egg in the final colored oil mixture, the oil keeps parts of the egg from bonding with the food coloring giving it a marbled appearance.
These marbleized oil and vinegar Easter eggs remind me of space or galaxy themes. They are perfect for space enthusiasts and for junior scientists everywhere!
Supplies:
- Hard-boiled Eggs
- Oil (Vegetable, Canola, or any oil will work)
- Food Coloring (Assorted Colors)
- Vinegar
- Water
- Plastic Cups
- Small Bowls
STEP 1:
Place 1 cup of very hot water in a plastic cup, add 3-4 drops of food coloring and 1 tsp of vinegar. Mix well. Repeat with other colors.
STEP 2:
Add the eggs in each cup and let sit for about 3 minutes. Remove and set on paper towels.
STEP 3:
In each bowl, add about 1 inch of water. You only want about ½ of the egg to be covered. Next, add 1 Tablespoon of oil to each bowl and 6-8 drops of food coloring.
STEP 4:
Place one egg into each bowl. With a spoon, spoon the water/oil mixture over the egg and let sit for about 3-4 minutes. Then roll the egg so it turns over and let sit for another 3-4 minutes.
STEP 5:
Take out and lay on paper towels. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe off each egg with additional paper towels.
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