{Play} Science Experiment for Kids: Celery Capillary Action
For some reason, this experiment stands out as one of my favorites from childhood. I’m not sure if it’s because I thought Celery Capillary Action was magic or that my mom had magical powers.
It was probably more of the latter, which is why it was so exciting to recreate this “magical” absorption experiment for the kids - and they were no less in awe of the results!
This science experiment is so easy:
- Stick your celery stalks in a glass of colored water
- Check in on your experiment every few hours and observe capillary action at work
I let Jane set up the experiment herself.
Then we observed at about 12, 18, 36, and 48 hours to see what had happened to the celery and where the water went.
We talked about:
- How the water moved up the celery stalks
- How we could prove the water was moving up the celery stalks
- Why the water in the glass reduced
- Why the color became darker as more time passed
We also noticed that the celery stalks became more fragrant and the stalks became softer as the hours went on.
*Note: Again, just like our Mud Experiment, technically, the water is not being “absorbed” by the celery but is moving through the celery capillaries.
Do you have any favorite experiments from your childhood?
Check out these other activities in our Absorption Experiment Series:
- Science: Absorption Experiment with Sand & Water
- Art: Sponge Painting
- Science: Celery Capillary Action Experiment
- Art + Science: Tie Dye Towels
And here’s another absorption art activity that we did last year: Pipet Painting
LEARN! Absorption, capillary action, science
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Chrissy – who has written 426 posts on The Outlaw Mom® Blog - Creative Living in a Conventional World.
In addition to Monday Kid Corner Weekly Linky Party, this week’s theme is WATER. Brush off those archives and link them up at thejennyevolution.com. See you there! Jennifer
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That is awesome! My son and I just did this too! I love that it is so simple! And I love all the educational lessons you integrated too!
Isn’t it the coolest experiment? I feel like it’s one of those things you just *have* to do as a child or your childhood isn’t complete. (I know, I am not normal, nor was my childhood!) Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn
I’ve seen blog post of this with flower, but never thought to do this with celery. Thanks for the reminder of this activity now my eldest is a bit bigger we are getting into a bit more science so this is a great one for me to do sometime, thanks!
Oh my goodness! Your mom was a physician, right? Soooo cool! It reminds me of something we’d see on Caroline’s De Tout de Rein. We are totally going to the store to buy dried chickpeas today to make homemade hummus and naan and now, I have to buy celery to do this.