Kids will be WOWED with this hands-on, fall science experiment where they will learn about chromatography and Why do Leaves Change Color Experiment. This is such a fun leaf activity that preschool, pre k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade students will enjoy. This is the perfect science experiment for September, October, and November.
Why do Leaves Change Color Experiment
I love fall and all the leaves changing color into brilliant red, orange, yellow, and eventually brown leaves. Have you ever wondered why they change colors or why those colors? This fun, engaging, and EASY science experiment is perfect for preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5 students. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – you will like this simple project exploring Why do Leaves Change Color Experiment.
Autumn is by far one of my favorite times of the year. There is something refreshing about fall from the crisp air to the magical colors that fill the horizons. This week as the leaves in our front yard began to change color the kids became filled with questions.
- Was it fairies?
- What about the Sun?
- Oh I know, it was our gnome with the paintbrush…
This science experiment to discover Why Leaves Change Color was the perfect solution for their curious minds.
How do Leaves Change Color in the Fall Science Project
To delve into why leaves change color kids need to first understand the purpose of leaves.
While on your nature hunt to collect the leaves for this science project is the perfect opportunity to discuss what jobs leaves are responsible for. (Don’t miss this leaf scavenger hunt to teach kids about types of trees]
Plants are responsible for creating the oxygen that we breathe. They do this by absorbing water from the ground and carbon dioxide from the air. Using sunlight (through photosynthesis) they turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. Oxygen is what we need to breathe and glucose is what the plant uses to grow. The term photosynthesis means “putting together with light”. The chemical that plants use to make photosynthesis is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the same chemical that gives plants their green color.
Why do leaves change color science experiment
To try this leaf science experiment, you will need a few simple materials you probably already have laying around the house. You will need the following supplies:
- Glass Jars
- Coffee Filters
- Leaves
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Notebook and Pencil to Record Observations
Why do leaves change color
To find the answer to why leaves change color in the fall, children will need to collect a couple handfuls of leaves. We like to take a fun nature walk, enjoying nature, and collecting fall treasures along the way. Try to collect a variety of fall colored leaves.
Now, sort the fall leaves into containers by color. The sorted cover leaves should then be ground up or torn into pieces and covered with simple rubbing alcohol. Continue mashing as needed, the rubbing alcohol should start showing all the colors in the leaves.
Leaves changing color experiment
Make a cone shape with the coffee filters and place the pointed tip into the leaf and rubbing alcohol mixture and allow it to sit long enough to absorb the liquid.
You will immediately be able to see the coffee filters absorb the liquid.
HINT:Â How long it takes to completely absorb the color will depend on how many leaves and how much rubbing alcohol was used.
After 12 hours ours hadn’t fully absorbed the liquid but you could begin to see the effect.
Why do leaves change color in the fall science fair project
Beautiful isn’t it?
As the liquid travels up the coffee filter it separates all the colors that were inside the leaf.
Why do Leaves Change Color in the Fall Answers
During winter, the days get shorted affecting the amount of sun the leaves are exposed to. Due to this lack of sunlight, plants go into a resting state and live off of the glucose that they stored over the summer. As they shut down for the winter, the green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. Â For example in Maple trees the bright red that shows up is a result of excess glucose being trapped in the leaves.
This is an experiment that is pretty fascinating no matter your child’s age.
Science for Kids
Looking for lots more fun, science experiments for kids? You will love all these fun, creative and easy science experiments for elementary age children:
- 100 Amazing Food science experiments for kids
- Colorful Capillary action science experiment
- 12 Hands on Science experiments with batteries
- Solar system science project
- Fun Water balloon science experiment
- 50 Fun Preschool science experiments
- Galaxy science project
- Eye science experiments
- Air pressure science project
- Amazing POP rocks science experiment
- Stunning Chromatography Flowers
- How to Make a Lava Lamp
- Simple machines science project
 
- Animal Classifications for Kids Cootie Catchers
- 19 Edible science experiments
- Free Solar System Unit
- Pipe Cleaner Constellation Activity
- Wow! Color Changing Slime
- Life Cycles for Kids
- Oil and Water Science Experiment
- Dying Flowers Science Experiment
- Human Body Project
- Look Inside a Volcano Project
- Exploding Watermelon – easy science project
- Skeletal system science project
- Find LOTS more Easy Science Experiments for kids of all ages!
Fall Activities for Preschool
Looking for more fun, fall printables to make leaning fun for prek kids? Take a peak at these:
- Pumpkin Shape Games for Preschoolers
- Fall Bingo Dauber Printables
- Pumpkin Pie Counting Activity
- Fall Sticker Worksheets
- Tracing Numbers Worksheets for Fall
- Fall Shapes for Preschoolers Printable Reader
- Autumn Color by Letter Kindergarten
- Fall Playdough Cards
- Free Printable Sight Word Games for Fall
- Fall Color by Number Worksheets
- Printable Fall Counting Worksheets
- Pumpkin Traceable Alphabet
- Fall Counting Pumpkins Reader
- Printable Hat Fall Crafts for Preschoolers
- Fall Number Mats
- Nature Scavenger Hunt Printables
- Apple Worksheets Preschool
- Fall Sequencing Activities
- Free Alphabet Flip Book Printable – apple theme
- Fall Number Game for Preschoolers
- Fall Worksheets for Preschool – HUGE pack!
- Cereal Fall Tree Craft
- Printable Leaves Fall Wreath Craft
- Leaf Printing with Markers – fun Fall Crafts for Preschool
I think this is fabulous experiment. I learnt a lot from it too. Cant wait to try it out! Keep up the great work.
Hi, what did you use to grind up the leaves?
anything you have on hand!