Chromatography Christmas Ornaments

Our countdown to Christmas continues for day 20 of Advent. I’m sharing a Christmas science idea with you at the beginning of each day until Christmas. Day 20’s activity is Chromatography Christmas Ornaments.

Paper chromatography is a method used in chemistry for identifying a liquid substance by separating it into its components. The components of the substance travel across the paper at different rates so they can be separated and identified. You can see what colors make up ink or markers by using paper chromatography. You can use this method of separating marker or ink colors to create some cool tie dye patterns. Then, turn those into ornaments.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Washable markers {Different brands of markers will produce different results. Black markers should work relatively well no matter the brand. You could also try brown or other colors.}
Coffee filters or filter paper
Small glass or container to rest the coffee filter on
Dropper
Container of water
Scissors
Tape
Glue
Ribbon
Thread or string

The Chromatography:

Cut circles out of the coffee filters.
Draw a dot, a line, or a series of dots in the middle of your coffee filter.
Place your coffee filter circle on top of a glass or container. {Technically this will still work if you leave the coffee filter on the table, but the colors seem to spread more evenly when the filter paper is not touching a surface.}
Drop 1 or more drops of water into the middle of your coffee filter.
Watch the marker colors spread out and separate as the water travels through the coffee filter.
Allow your coffee filter to dry. {We hung ours with clothespins on line of string tied across two chairs.}

We tried several different methods and colors {black, brown, green, and red}. We liked the circle of black dots the best. It seemed to produce the best tie dye pattern.

To create ornaments, glue ribbon to the top of your circles. Then, tape on a piece of thread to hang from the tree.

Here’s what the ornaments look like on our baking soda painted Christmas tree:

And here’s what they look like on the big Christmas tree. I like the way the light shines through the filter paper.

In addition to washable markers, you could use permanent markers or even ink pens, but you will need a different solvent than water. Rubbing alcohol is usually the solvent that is used for these. I wouldn’t recommend the use of rubbing alcohol with young children. Try that as an adult/much older kid only craft to see what cool patterns you can create.

What kind of tie dye patterns can you create?

I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 21’s Christmas science activity.

More Christmas Activities for Kids

Catch all of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar ideas.
Explore pine needles and Christmas trees and take our Christmas science challenge.
Turn your child’s art into a great Christmas project with these 15 Christmas ideas with children’s art.
Check out all of our Christmas ideas.

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