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in Science Experiments

Sugar Rainbow Density Tower Experiment

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We recently read Zooey and Sasafrass, where Zoey is a scientist and cares for magical creatures. When she runs across a baby dragon, she has to figure out what it eats using science! We were inspired by this science experiment and decided to conduct our own sugar density experiment to see if we could figure out what unicorns eat! This sugar rainbow density tower is not only a fun project to make, but it also teaches kids about the density of sugar.

What do unicorns eat? They eat sugar rainbows! Learn how to make your own sugar rainbow density tower in this experiment inspired by Zoey and Sassafras.

Keep reading to learn how to make your own sugar density tower!

It’s a fun way to learn about liquid density for kids!

steam challenge cards

If you like this experiment, check out our rainbow science experiments, science experiments in a jar, and unicorn science experiments!

What Do Unicorns Drink? Rainbow Sugar Density Tower

what do unicorns drink

After reading Zoey and Sassafras, my kids were curious about the other kinds of foods that magical creatures might eat.

Everyone knows that unicorns and rainbows go together, so my girls decided that unicorns probably only eat rainbows. We decided to see if we could make a liquid rainbow that unicorns could drink.

5 layer density tower

Get Zoey and Sassafras here!

Sugar rainbow experiment hypothesis:

sugar water rainbow

My girls were not convinced that we could make a rainbow from just water and sugar. They thought once the liquids were added together, they would form one gross brown color. The hypothesis was that it was impossible to make a liquid rainbow.

Sugar density experiment:

sugar rainbow experiment

This experiment is a variation on the density tower. Typically, different liquids are used to make each layer, like oil and honey. But for this experiment, we used sugar and water only.

colorful sugar water density tower

What you need for the sugar rainbow density tower experiment:

This post contains affiliate links.

  • Sugar
  • Food coloring
  • 6 small cups
  • Safety goggles
  • Beaker
  • Pipettes
  • Stove and small pot
  • Tablespoon
  • Zoey and Sasafrass book
  • Unicorn erasers
sugar rainbow experiment hypothesis

Zoey always wears goggles for safety, and kids should also wear safety goggles when completing science experiments. After donning safety goggles, heat 36 tablespoons of water until boiling on the stove.

When the water is boiling, add six tablespoons of water to each cup.

In the first cup, put no sugar. In the second cup, put one tablespoon of sugar. In the third cup, put two tablespoons of sugar and so on until the last cup has five tablespoons of sugar.

Add red food coloring to the cup with no sugar, orange to the cup with two tablespoons of sugar, and so on. Stir until all sugar is dissolved.

The next part is tricky, and takes some time. Pour the purple liquid into the glass beaker. Next, add the colors in reverse rainbow order using a pipette.

Squeeze the color onto the side of the beaker and let the liquid run down into the cup. This prevents the liquid from mixing and keeps the layers separated.

Once all layers are added, carefully transfer the rainbow density tower to a windowsill and examine the layers. Can you see all the layers?

density rainbow

Another experiment you can try is to add a drop of water to the bottom layer with a pipette. Watch as the drop of water slowly rises through the layers to the top.

Sugar Rainbow Experiment Results:

This sugar rainbow density tower is not only a fun project to make, but it also teaches kids about the density of sugar.

The color layers remained separated because their density was different. Sugar water is slightly different than other types of density experiments because if shaken, the entire mixture will combine.

But if added in careful layers, the differing density of the liquids will keep the colors separated and unicorn-friendly.

liquid tower experiment

The kids were delighted to see the layers remain separate during this experiment, and they both thought that any unicorn would be happy to drink the liquid.

steam challenge cards
What do unicorns eat? They eat sugar rainbows! Learn how to make your own sugar rainbow density tower in this experiment inspired by Zoey and Sassafras.

More Unicorn Activities

Nothing is more fun than unicorn science experiments! These unicorn science activities and unicorn STEM activities are the perfect way to learn with magical unicorns while learning all about real life science at the same time. You won't believe how much science you can teach using unicorns! Perfect for STEM centers!

Unicorn STEM Activities

These unicorn poop recipes will allow you to embrace all things unicorn, both in science, craft, and edible forms. These fun DIY unicorn poops will bring your home, classroom, or sleepover to life!

Unicorn Poop Recipes

Unicorns and rainbows go together like peanut butter and jelly. Now you can add STEM to the mix by making a unicorn scribble bot that draws rainbows!

Unicorn Scribble Bot

Love unicorns? Then you will LOVE this list of magical unicorn crafts for kids! Perfect for a unicorn party, classroom fun or everyday!

Unicorn Crafts

If your kids love unicorns, they they will go nuts for these fun and adorable unicorn treats! Perfect for a unicorn birthday party!

Unicorn Treats

Unicorn Poop Slime

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Filed Under: Science Experiments Tagged With: chemistry, jar, unicorn, water

About Brenda Priddy

Brenda grew up thinking she hated science.

But when her 4-year- old daughter was more interested in reading science facts than fairy tales, Brenda realized she had to learn more about science to keep up with her daughter.

Through simple at-home science experiments, Brenda developed a passion for science and now acts as an advocate for STEM education for kids at her website STEAMsational.com.

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What is STEAM?

STEAM activities for kids promote the idea that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can all work together to help kids become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators!

Join us on our journey to discover just how much fun science experiments can be.

What we do… 

STEAMsational offers STEM and science lesson plans and teaching resources to provide a firm STEM foundation for children in the classroom or home.

All you need to do is find your supplies, gather your scientists, and let the innovation unfold.

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