STEAM Fun: Cabbage Juice Experiment for Kids!

 

Color-Changing Science! A Fun and Easy Cabbage Juice Experiment for Kids

Looking for a colorful, educational, and hands-on science experiment for your kids? This red cabbage activity is the perfect mix of fun and learning. 

I recently took my littles to an annusl science fair and this was one of the first booths where the kids were simply fascinated. So I'm sharing it here for you to try with your little ones.

With just a few ingredients from your kitchen, your child can explore the science of acids and bases while watching magical color changes unfold!

Cabbage juice colour changing  experiment

What’s So Special About Red Cabbage?

Red cabbage contains a natural pigment called anthocyanin, which changes color depending on the pH level of the solution it touches:

• Acids turn the juice pink or red
• Bases turn it blue, green, or yellow-green
• Neutral solutions keep it purple

This makes red cabbage juice a natural and safe pH indicator—perfect for science fun at home or in the classroom.

What You’ll Need

• 1 cup chopped red cabbage
• 2 cups hot water
• A blender or spoon and bowl
• A strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
• 4 clear cups or containers
• Items to test:
  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Rose water

Instructions

1. Make the cabbage juice: Blend the chopped cabbage with hot water or let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid into a bowl or jar. This is your indicator solution.
2. Pour cabbage juice into cups: Add about 1/4 cup of cabbage juice to each clear cup.
3. Add each test substance: In separate cups, add a spoonful of vinegar, baking soda, salt, and rose water. Stir and watch what happens!

What Happens and Why?

Here’s a simple table to show what you might see:

Substance	Type	Color Change
Vinegar	Acid	Pink/Red
Baking Soda	Base	Blue/Green
Salt	Neutral	Purple (No change)
Rose Water	Slightly Acidic	Light Pink or No Change

Make It Even More Fun!

• Test other liquids like orange juice, lemon juice, soap water, or soda.
• Make a prediction chart before testing each substance.
• Try to create a pH rainbow using a variety of kitchen items!

Take Away

This red cabbage experiment is a great way to explore chemistry with young learners. It's safe, affordable, and perfect for homeschool science, classroom demonstrations, or family fun on a rainy afternoon.

Let us know if you end up trying this experiment with your future chemists at home, co-op or in the classroom.

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