• Shop
  • Image Map

A Dab of Glue Will Do

Little Learners, Big Ideas

  • Home
  • START HERE
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Freebies
  • Contact

Walking Water Science Activity for Kids

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. View our full disclosure policy here.

I'd love it if you shared!

39.2K shares
  • Facebook239
  • Twitter
  • Reddit

We are always on the lookout for simple science activities to do with our kids. It doesn’t get any easier than this walking water science activity! Kids of all ages will be dazzled by the magic of watching colored water move along a paper towel from a full glass to fill up an empty glass.

This Walking Water Experiment is a great hands-on science experiment perfect for anytime of the year. There is a free recording sheet printable included. This is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students.

 

Getting Walking Water Ready

Setup is super simple for this activity. We began by gathering the following supplies:

  • Six jars of equal size (we used pint-sized mason jars)
  • Food coloring in primary colors (red, yellow, and blue)
  • Paper towels

We started by adding about 20 drops of blue food coloring to one jar and then filling it with 2 cups of water. Then we added 20 drops of yellow food coloring to another jar, filled it with water, and then added 20 drops of red food coloring to a third jar and filled it with water.

We arranged our jars in a circle so that there was an empty jar in between each filled jar.

Then we tore off six paper towels. The brand we used is Viva, but I have read that many other brands work just as well. If you find that your walking water science experiment isn’t working you may want to try a different brand or thickness of paper towel.

Our paper towels are the smaller “choose your size” kind. If you have the full sized paper towels you will only need to tear off three of them, and then tear each of those in half.

We folded each paper towel into length-wise quarters. This is the perfect size for each towel to reach from the bottom of one pint-sized jar to the bottom of the next jar.

Making Water Walk

We arranged each paper towel so that one end was submerged in the colored water of one full jar and one end was in an empty jar. This meant that each jar had two paper towels in it and all the jars were connected in a little circular paper towel circuit. We predicted what would happen and recorded it on the free printable below.

Within 30 seconds we could see colored water creeping up the paper towels! Little by little the water moved along the paper towel until it finally started dripping into the empty jar. With two different primary colors dripping into each empty jar we quickly created the secondary colors; orange, purple, and green!

After about one hour our jars looked like this:

We checked on our walking water frequently and observed how more and more water was transferred from the full jars to the empty jars. After leaving it overnight we noticed how all of the jars contained exactly the same level of water.

After the experiment was completed, we completed our recording sheet. It was so much fun!

This Walking Water Experiment is a great hands-on science experiment perfect for anytime of the year. There is a free recording sheet printable included. This is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students.

The Science Behind Walking Water

The colored water moves up the paper towel by a process called capillary action. Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow upward, against gravity, in narrow spaces.  This is the same thing that helps water climb from a tree’s roots to its leaves at the top.

Paper towels are made from plant fibers called cellulose.  In our walking water experiment, the water flowed upward through the tiny gaps between the cellulose fibers. The attractive forces between water and cellulose fibers make this possible.

Want science planned for you ALL YEAR LONG?!

Do you want science planned for the ENTIRE CALENDAR YEAR!? This Endless Science Mega Bundle will save you so much time and keep your students engaged and excited about learning. This amazing resource contains 53 science topics including life science, physical science, earth science, and animal studies.

Engage your class in an exciting hands-on experience learning all about science! Perfect for science in Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade classrooms and packed full of inviting science activities. Excite your learners with the study of Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Animal Studies. These studies are perfect for any time of the year. This is a GROWING BUNDLE that will have your students learning all about: 21 life science topics, 4 physical science topics, 11 earth science topics, and 17 animal science topics. That is a TOTAL OF 53 SCIENCE TOPICS covered in one mega bundle. This pack is great for homeschoolers, kids craft activities, and to add to your unit studies!

Download Your Walking Water Science Experiment Printable Below!

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Click the picture below to download. 

Related posts:

No related posts.

52 Comments Filed Under: Crafts/Activities, Earth Science Tagged With: First Grade, Kindergarten, Pre-K, Preschool, Science

« Flowers Initial Sound Match-Up
Zoo First to 20 and First to 50 Math Game »

Comments

  1. Corrie says

    March 12, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    Thank you so much! I wanted to some color exploration this week as we studied rainbows with St. Patrick’s day. This will be perfect. Thank you for your awesome posts.

    Reply
  2. T says

    May 9, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    I would love to use your experiment worksheet for walking water but I can’t get to the page to download it! 🙁 I’ve already sent an email and haven’t received a response so I thought I’d try to get a hold of you this way to get it! I’m hoping to use it soon with my class.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Hamilton says

      May 14, 2019 at 10:52 pm

      Hi there, sometimes our emails are blocked when using a school email. You may want to try using a private email such as yahoo or gmail. Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Patrickmor says

    December 5, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    Hello. https://jayrims.co.uk/

    Reply
  4. furlong says

    April 24, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Аttractive section of content. I just stumbⅼed upon your site and in aϲcession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed
    account your bloց posts. Anyway I’ⅼl be subscribing to your feeds and
    eѵen Ӏ achievement you acceѕs consiѕtently rapidly.

    Reply
  5. Letitia Byra says

    April 24, 2022 at 8:25 pm

    This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

    Reply
  6. خرید یخچال فریزر دیپوینت says

    May 2, 2022 at 8:57 am

    I am usually to running a blog and i really respect your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and hold checking for new information.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Rain Cloud in a Jar Science Activity - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    May 1, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  2. Oil and Water Science Activity - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    May 8, 2017 at 7:00 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  3. Play Dough Science Activity - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    June 15, 2017 at 7:17 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  4. All About Clouds Activity & Freebie - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    June 19, 2017 at 7:00 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  5. Slime Recipe Test: Simple Science For Kids - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    July 3, 2017 at 7:01 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  6. Ivory Soap Microwave Experiment - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    July 10, 2017 at 7:01 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  7. Free Walking Water Printable says:
    July 12, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    […] GO HERE TO GET IT NOW […]

    Reply
  8. 25 Water Hands-On Activities for Kids - Growing Hands-On Kids says:
    July 19, 2017 at 5:32 am

    […] Walking Water Science Activity for Kids – A Dab of Glue Will Do […]

    Reply
  9. Ice Fishing Science Experiment for Kids - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    December 11, 2017 at 9:54 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  10. Christmas Science Experiments: Hot Chocolate - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    December 18, 2017 at 7:00 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  11. Simple Science: Kid Made Chromatography - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    January 3, 2018 at 6:35 am

    […] Coffee filters are thin paper that contains cellulose, the same compound that trees and plants are made of. Cellulose pulls water up by capillary action, a cool phenomenon that we experimented with in our walking water science experiment. […]

    Reply
  12. Salt Crystal Rainbow Science for Kids - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    January 30, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  13. Rainbow Science Experiment: Density for Kids - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    February 19, 2018 at 10:44 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  14. Walking on Eggs Science Experiment - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    February 26, 2018 at 7:05 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  15. Science Activities for Kids: Free Fall Experiment - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    March 5, 2018 at 7:00 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  16. Dissolving Peeps Science Experiment for Kids - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    March 14, 2018 at 7:00 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  17. Water Cycle in a Bottle Science Experiment - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    March 19, 2018 at 9:42 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  18. Cabbage pH Science Experiment for Kids - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    March 26, 2018 at 7:00 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  19. Rainbow Unit Study Resources | Faithful Farmwife says:
    March 26, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    […] Walking Rainbow Water […]

    Reply
  20. Beyond Limits Academy-My Father’s World: Adventures, Week 10 – Beyond Limits Academy says:
    November 19, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    […] We also made a color wheel with paper towels to show absorption. That tutorial is here. […]

    Reply
  21. 20 Hands-On Science Activities Kids Will Love - handsonhomeschooladventures.com says:
    February 18, 2019 at 9:20 am

    […] Dab of Glue Will Do demonstrates Walking Water, a perfect illustration for capillary […]

    Reply
  22. 40+ STEAM Activities for Kindergarten - Sixth Bloom- Lifestyle, Photography & Family Blog says:
    February 27, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    […] Walking Water Activity –  We are always on the lookout for simple science activities to do with our kids. It doesn’t get any easier than this walking water science activity! Kids of all ages will be dazzled by the magic of watching colored water move along a paper towel from a full glass to fill up an empty glass. […]

    Reply
  23. 10 Fun St. Patrick's Day Craft Ideas | Baby Gizmo says:
    March 13, 2019 at 8:48 am

    […] Water Science Activity: Okay, this one isn’t technically a craft—it says so right in the name. But it’s so pretty that I think […]

    Reply
  24. Rain in a Jar - says:
    April 1, 2019 at 2:41 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  25. Blood Cell Model Science Activity - says:
    April 11, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  26. DIY Lava Lamp With Water Beads Experiment Freebie - says:
    June 13, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  27. Foil-Printed Moon Craft - says:
    June 14, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  28. Magic Milk Science Experiment - says:
    June 26, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  29. Scattered Pepper Science Experiment - says:
    June 28, 2019 at 11:10 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  30. Water pH Science Experiment: Simple Science for Kids - says:
    July 10, 2019 at 9:13 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  31. Glow Stick Science: Chemical Reaction Lab - says:
    July 11, 2019 at 4:30 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  32. Inverted Balloon in a Bottle - says:
    July 11, 2019 at 4:41 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  33. STEM For Kids: Build A Bird's Nest - says:
    July 11, 2019 at 5:57 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  34. Self-Inflating Balloon Science Experiment - says:
    July 15, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  35. Sink or Float Science Experiment Using Balloons - says:
    July 16, 2019 at 4:12 pm

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  36. Crystal Balls Science Experiment for Kids - says:
    July 17, 2019 at 4:13 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  37. Ice Painting with Salt and Watercolors - says:
    July 17, 2019 at 4:29 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  38. Five Senses - A Dab of Glue Will Do says:
    July 21, 2019 at 6:58 am

    […] we dig into our science curriculum kids are amazed by our Walking Water Science Experiment and Static Electricity Experiment. They feel like little scientists as they document their findings […]

    Reply
  39. 100+ Science Experiments for Your Homeschool Science Class - Year Round Homeschooling says:
    August 30, 2019 at 7:51 am

    […] Walking Water […]

    Reply
  40. Mixing Oil and Water Experiment + Freebie - says:
    September 6, 2019 at 10:49 am

    […] Walking Water Science for Kids […]

    Reply
  41. 30 Day Science Activity Planner for Kids says:
    September 6, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    […] Walking Water Science Activity by A Dab of Glue Will Do – Teach the kids about capillary action with this fun and easy science demo. […]

    Reply
  42. 17 St. Patrick's Day Science Activities says:
    February 4, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    […] This activity is a great way to teach your students about how capillaries work. You can use it when discussing how the human body works, or even when discussing plant life. […]

    Reply
  43. 8 Fun Science Experiments Using Kitchen Pantry Ingredients | Baby Gizmo says:
    April 13, 2020 at 9:14 am

    […] Water: I’ve always seen pictures of this finished experiment, but I had absolutely no idea until writing up this post that half the jars were empty when it […]

    Reply
  44. Walking Water Science Activity for Kids - Kids Activities says:
    June 13, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    […] This Walking Water Experiment is a great hands-on science experiment perfect for anytime of the year. There is a free recording sheet printable included. This is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students.. Read more at adabofgluewilldo.com […]

    Reply
  45. 20 STEAM Activities for Kids - Singapore Math Learning Center says:
    August 23, 2021 at 7:05 pm

    […] Walking Water Science Activity […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, I’m Jennifer!

I'm Jennifer.... I taught Kindergarten and 1st grade, I have a stash of chocolate in my desk to keep me going, and I spend way too much time stalking the Target dollar bin. At a Dab of Glue Will Do, we help busy teachers and their little learners by creating awesome classroom resources which … read more

Image Map

Search Website

Categories

Privacy

Copyright © 2022 A Dab Of Glue Will Do · Logo Design by Designs by Kassie Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

39.2K shares
  • 239