Spinning Tops Color Mixing STEM Activity

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This fun color mixing STEM activity is a little bit science, a little bit art, and a whole lot of fun!

We tried to see if we could mix colors through motion and came up with some awesome results with these Color Mixing Tops.

STEM projects can be so much fun!

Our color mixing tops were simple to make and used supplies that you probably already have at home.

So, let’s get out the craft supplies and get ready to have fun with this STEAM activity.

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Supplies needed for this color mixing activity

Thin cardboard (recycled cereal or cracker box)
Circle template
Scissors
Paint – red, blue, yellow
Toothpicks

How to Make a Color Mixing Top

We used our circle template (the top of our Barrel of Monkeys) to trace a few circles on our cereal box. A drinking glass or a can would also work for your template.

You only need one circle per top. We made four different tops to test our different color combinations.

After we cut out our circles, we divided them into four equal sections.

Using our primary paint colors, we alternated the colors in each section. We used only two colors per top.

As an alternative, my 5-year-old divided her circles in half, with each half a different color.

Once our paint was dry, I made a tiny hole in the center of each top. (Use a pair of sharp scissors or a paper clip to make the hole.)

If you divided your top into quarters, the center is very easy to find.

We then poked a toothpick into the middle of each circle.

Color Mixing STEM Activity

They turned out so pretty! But, did they work? There’s nothing left to do but try to see if they word.

We started spinning and were amazed to see the colors blend together. So cool!

I tried my hardest to get some good pictures, but it wasn’t easy! Have you ever tried to photograph a spinning top in low light? Boy, is that tough! I got plenty of crummy pictures, but I was able to capture one that showed the color mixture effect.

In the photo below. We were spinning our red and yellow top from the picture above. Can you see the orange?

We also discovered that the tops divided into quarters blended the colors much better than the ones divided into halves.

I always love combining science and art. We always have so much fun!

And, this color mixing STEM activity was the perfect activity to combine science and art. We learned a lot while we got creative.

You may also like one of these STEM activities:

Melting Crayons Science Experiment

Marshmallow Engineering

Color Mixing Lab

Art + Science: Sun Prints

Color Pattern Projectors at Teach Beside Me

My must-have STEM resource

We love STEM so much that we’ve decided to have fun STEM activities delivered to our house each month with Green Kid Crafts. The activities are so much fun and all ready for you to create and learn.

You should check out their great products. You can get a subscription like we have, or just buy a single box.

Get a subscription here.

Or browse all their fun STEM boxes!

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Wouldn’t it be so much fun to get STEAM family activities delivered to your inbox? I think so! That’s why I’ve created this fun series, STEAM Family Fun, to be delivered to your inbox. After going through all the letters in STEAM each week with a fun activity devoted to each, you’ll start receiving a fun STEAM activity once a month. (And I’ll also pop up in your inbox occasionally if I’ve got other fun things to share.)

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