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. 

Christmas Science Advent Calendar

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.

Chromatography Christmas Ornaments - Day 20 of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar - Use paper chromatography to make fun tie dye 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:

  1. Cut circles out of the coffee filters.
  2. Draw a dot, a line, or a series of dots in the middle of your coffee filter.
    Chromatography Christmas Ornaments - Day 20 of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar
  3. 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.}
  4. Drop 1 or more drops of water into the middle of your coffee filter.
  5. Watch the marker colors spread out and separate as the water travels through the coffee filter.
  6. 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.

Chromatography Christmas Ornaments - Day 20 of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar

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

Chromatography Christmas Ornaments - Day 20 of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar

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

Chromatography Christmas Ornaments - Day 20 of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar

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

Chromatography Christmas Ornaments - Day 20 of our Christmas Science Advent Calendar

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

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