• 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 » Early Years Science » Mixtures for Kids

    Mixtures for Kids

    September 2, 2020 By Emma Vanstone 5 Comments

    What is a Mixture?

    A mixture is a substance in which two or more substances are mixed but not chemically joined together, meaning that a chemical reaction has not taken place.

    Mixtures can be easily separated and the substances in the mixture keep their original properties.

    Imagine mixing skittles and full size marshmallows, the individual components (skittles and marshmallows) could easily be separated using a filter and each component of the mixture ( skittles and marshmallow ) doesn’t change. 

    How to make a mixture

    You can make your own mixtures with items from around the house.

    1. Firstly try to make a mixture of toys.

    2. This time use cereals or sweets.

    What is a solution?

    A solution is made when a solid (which we call a solute) dissolves into a liquid (that we call the solvent) One example of a solution is salt dissolved in water. The salt and water can be separated again by evaporation ( the water will evaporate if left in a hot place leaving he salt behind ).

    Investigation

    Aim: To test out these three mixtures to see which form solutions and which don’t

    • Salt and Water
    • Sugar and Water
    • Sand and Water

    Results Table

    Making mixtures

    You should find that both salt and water and sugar and water dissolve and form solutions and that sand sinks to bottom!

    dissolving experiment

    How do you separate mixtures?

    Can you separate the components out of the mixture again? Hint – to separate the sand from water you could use a sieve. This is possible as the sand is insoluble ( doesn’t dissolve in water ).

    Salt and sugar are soluble ( dissolve in water ) and can be separated by evaporation.

    Another way to separate a mixture is by using a process called chromatography.

    Challenge – how would you separate rock salt and water?

    Rock salt is a mixture of salt and sand and is often spread on roads in winter to stop cars skidding.

    Stage 1 – Grinding

    First the rock salt should be ground using a pestle and mortar.

    Stage 2- Dissolving

    The ground rock salt should be dissolved in a beaker and stirred thoroughly.

    Stage 3 – Filtering

    The solution of water and rock salt should be passed through the filter paper where the sand ( which will not have dissolved in the water ) will collect.

    Salt does dissolve in water and so will pass through the filter paper.

    Stage 4 – Evaporating

    To separate the salt from the water the water needs to be evaporated off, either by leaving the salty solution in the sunshine or placing under a heat source.

    The salt will form as crystals – this process is called crystallisation.

    Making mixtures. Make simple mixtures and then more complex mixtures that can be separated by filtration or evaporation #mixtures #chemistryforkids

    Last Updated on May 24, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

    « Rosalind Franklin – Fact File
    Science for Early Years on a Budget »

    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

    Comments

    1. Theresa

      July 18, 2012 at 2:17 pm

      Those are great educational play activities. I love your ideas for teaching the difference between a mixture and a solution in a meaningful way. Families can try out your mixtures and solutions and then come up with their own too. Thank you for sharing this on Artsy Play Wednesday on Capri + 3.

      : 0 ) Theresa

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        July 23, 2012 at 6:50 am

        Thank you. I’m glad you like it. x

        Reply
      • Khalisah Yasin

        October 08, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        This helps me to keep my child busy and I love it
        So well done!

        Reply
    2. joy

      February 24, 2021 at 8:44 pm

      Simple, fun, and accurate!! Thanks from myself and my e-schooled granddaughter
      😉

      Reply
    3. Ana K

      October 08, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      I´m a middle school student and and it has helped me understand things better

      Reply

    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