Rainbow Science Experiments for Kids at Home

Have you ever seen a rainbow in the sky and wondered how to teach your kids about the science of rainbows? Or how you can use easy rainbow science experiments in teaching kids about other science concepts? Well, now is your chance to do both in a fun way.

For more rainbow-themed activities, see my bigger list of colorful Rainbow Activities for Kids.

Here, I’ll break down what makes a rainbow so special and how you can use your child’s fascination with rainbows while teaching them some important lessons along the way. I am sure your kids will love these easy, colorful, super fun (and sometimes fizzy) science activities.

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What Causes Rainbows?

Rainbows are created when the sun’s light shines on water droplets in the air. The sun’s rays are broken up into different colors as they pass through the water droplets, creating a spectrum of colors.

Refraction of Light

Rainbows occur because of an optical process called refraction. Refraction happens when light passes from one medium to another, like from air to water. When light passes through a medium, its speed changes and it bends inwards towards the normal line (the line drawn perpendicular to the surface). This bending causes the colors of the rainbow to appear as individual bands of color.

Light Spectrum

In order to understand how rainbows work, we need to look at the spectrum of visible light. Visible light consists of different wavelengths – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Each color has a different wavelength which makes them appear distinct from each other. When sunlight enters a raindrop it is refracted and reflected multiple times until it leaves the drop as white light which is then split into the individual colors of the spectrum before reaching our eyes.

The Angle Matters!

Rainbows are also dependent on angle. The angle between your eye and the sun needs to be just right in order for you to see a rainbow (it has to be around 42 degrees). If you try looking for a rainbow at any other angle, all you will see is white light because all seven colors will have blended together instead of separating into individual bands of color.

Don’t you just love rainbows?

Recommended Rainbow Books for Kids

KIDS LOVE COLORS! That is why grabbing these rainbow books for them is a great idea. With these books, they will learn how rainbows are formed and why everyone loves seeing them!

Rain Before Rainbows How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow The Rainbow Bee all about RAINBOW: Encyclopedia Book for kids age 5 and up Rainbow: Ready-to-Read Level 1 (Weather Ready-to-Reads)Did You Know? The Rainbow Edition

Recommended Rainbow Activity Kits

Rainbow Sensory Tray

Your little one will enjoy hours of playing with this rainbow sensory tray! Grab this activity kit for a fun way to develop fine motor skills while they enjoy an educational imaginative play.

Rainbow Crafts Box

Get this rainbow-themed crafts box. Kids will love making colorful arts and crafts with this activity kit.