• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Preschool Science
  • Science Facts
  • Printable Experiments
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Science Questions
  • Contact Me
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Key Stage 3
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Chemistry Potions for Valentine’s Day

    Chemistry Potions for Valentine’s Day

    February 8, 2020 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Red cabbage indicator turns pink in the presence of acids, so by testing different types of acids ( lemon juice and vinegar are good to try ), you can make a range of lovely pink potions perfect for Valentine’s Day!

    If pink isn’t your thing, add an alkali ( baking soda works well ) and turn the indicator a more dirty green colour! If you add an acid and an alkali, you’ll get a clever colour-changing fizzy potion!

    Don’t forget to check out my other heart and flower-themed experiments for Valentine’s Day in my Valentine science experiment round-up post too!

    Ingredients for colour changing Valentine Potions. One beaker full of red cabbage indicator, baking soda and a lemon to the side.

    Pink Colour Changing Potions

    Red Cabbage – chopped

    Sieve

    Large container for the indicator

    Small containers for the testing

    Water

    Pan

    Acids to test – vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice

    How to make a Valentine’s potion

    Place the red cabbage into the pan and cover it with water. Bring to the boil ( ask an adult to help ) and leave to simmer for 5-10 minutes.

    Leave to cool and then pour the mixture through a sieve or colander saving the purple cabbage water.

    Share the indicator mixture between the small containers and add a little of the test acids ( only use edible acids to test ) to see how the indicator changes colour.

    Once you’ve made lots of lovely pink colours, add a little baking soda to make the potion fizz.

    The alkaline baking soda reacts with the vinegar to make a lovely fizzy mixture. This is an example of a neutralisation reaction.

    Beakers containing several pink and red fizzy potions for a Valentine's day science activity

    If you enjoyed this experiment, I’ve got lots more baking soda experiments you’ll love!

    More Potions for Valentine’s Day

    We love lava lamps here at Science Sparks, and this glitter love potion version is just lovely from Hello Wonderful.

    This layered love potion from Playdough to Plato is gorgeous too.

    Babble Dabble Do has a brilliant kool aid based Harry Potter potion as well!

    We don’t know which to try first!

    Valentine's Day Potions

    Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

    « What is the Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction?
    Why don’t oil and water mix? »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What are you looking for?

    JOIN US!

    Get new experiments straight into your inbox every week!!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd