Color Mixing Sensory Bags Experiment
Fill zip bags with hair gel and primary-colored paint, then squish and blend to discover secondary colors — a mess-free color science lab.
What You'll Need
- 13 gallon-size zip bags
- 2Clear hair gel
- 3Washable paint (red, yellow, blue)
- 4Duct tape
- 5Painter's tape (for securing to surface)
What You'll Need
3 gallon-size zip bags
Clear hair gel
Washable paint in red, yellow, and blue
Duct tape
Painter's tape for securing bags to surfaces
How to Play
Fill each zip bag with about half a cup of clear hair gel.
Add primary color pairs: red + yellow in bag one, yellow + blue in bag two, red + blue in bag three.
Seal tightly and reinforce each seal with duct tape.
Tape the bags flat to a table or — even better — a sunny window.
Ask: "What color do you think red and yellow will make?" Write down predictions.
Let your child press, squish, and blend the paint through the gel.
Compare results to predictions. Red + yellow = orange. Yellow + blue = green. Red + blue = purple.
Tips
Hair gel slows the mixing, so your child watches the color change happen gradually — much more dramatic than paint mixing instantly.
Taping to a window lets sunlight shine through the gel, making the colors extra vivid.
Challenge your child to only half-mix — leaving swirls of both original colors plus the new color is visually stunning.
This is mess-free science. The paint never leaves the bag.
Follow up by asking: "What three colors would you need to make brown?" Let them try it with a fourth bag.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 15 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: 3 gallon-size zip bags, clear hair gel, washable paint (red, yellow, blue), duct tape, painter's tape (for securing to surface).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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