Christmas Oil and Water – Christmas Science Experiment

Oil and water don’t mix. This is scientifically proven and used as a phrase in normal, everyday language sometimes. There is literally no way to make it mix! But it can still lead to exciting learning opportunities and fun ‘magic’ to watch. This time we did holiday themed oil and water experiment to sneak in some fun learning in December. This easy Christmas science experiment is fun for toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade students. This Christmas activities for preschoolers is the perfect way to get kids excited about science with a beautiful activity!

Christmas science experiments

Help toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners kids explore simple principles with this oil and water science experiment. This Christmas science experiment for preschoolers is sure to help get kids excited about science and make learning fun. Kids will be amazed as they start to understand that some substances do not mix with this Santa science experiments!

Let me first start out by saying that we tried this experiment with both red and green food coloring and it turned quickly into a gross brown color. So if you’re going for a brown colored oil and water experiment, just use red and green but if you’re looking for some fun Christmas colors, I would just choose one. We choose green! 

Christmas Science Experiments Preschool

Start with an empty jar and add water. We added until the jar was about ¾ full.

In a separate bowl, mix oil and food coloring. It will separate, but you can stir it. Stirring will create more bubbles which will add to the experiment. Stirring isn’t required but it is way cooler when you do! 

Christmas science

When you’re ready, add the oil mixture to the jar of water. At first it is going to look as though it has mixed together. Especially when the food coloring mixes through.

Then you’ll see the oil start to collect on top of the water. WHAT? The oil is literally floating on top of the water. It is fantastic.

Christmas science experiment

Then the beads of food coloring that didn’t mix in will start a show. It looks like Christmas fireworks. It also reminds me of a synchronized swimmer. Whatever it reminds you of, it gets a huge reaction from the kids. The food coloring bubbles start to melt and it is so beautiful! 

Christmas Activities for Preschoolers

This is a simple experiment that doesn’t make a mess, doesn’t take a ton of time or energy. This is the perfect Christmas time experiment. We are all busy with the extra holiday things, and this is super exciting and so easy! 

Christmas Math

• Christmas Color by Number Worksheets
• Number Sense Puzzles for December Candy Cane Math
• Kids will have fun practicing patterns with this playdough lights Christmas Math Activities
• Do-a-Dot Elf Worksheets for preschoolers counting to 10
• Shape Gingerbread Worksheets for Christmas
• Practice Counting to 20 with these Christmas Tree Playdough Mats
• Gingerbread Man Dot to Dot Worksheets
• Count to 10 Twas the Night Before Christmas Activities – read, color & learn