Catch a Rainbow
Materials
- jar filled with water
- flashlight
Background Information
When light is passed through a prism such as the water in the jar, the light separates into a rainbow. Children don’t need to understand this concept, they will enjoy the process.
This demonstration works best if done on a white surface; a white topped table or white construction paper. Be sure that the light enters the jar at an angle.
Activity
Ask the children to look for a rainbow on the table. (They won’t see one.) Turn on the flashlight. Then hold the flashlight at an angle and shine the light through the water. A rainbow will magically appear. Put the demonstration at a center so that the children can experiment independently.
Activity provided by:
Fontenelle Forest
1111 N. Bellevue Blvd.
Bellevue, NE 68005
www.fontenelleforest.org

Age:
_ 0-1
_ 1-2
_ 2-3
✓ 3-4
✓ 4-5
✓ 5-6
Category: Group Activities
Iowa Early Learning Standards:
8.2, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 12.4, 14.3
Related Kindernature Resources:
_ 0-1
_ 1-2
_ 2-3
✓ 3-4
✓ 4-5
✓ 5-6
Category: Group Activities
Iowa Early Learning Standards:
8.2, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 12.4, 14.3
Related Kindernature Resources: