Coffee Filter Process Art Science Activity : Exploring Absorption

We love it when an activity can combine both art and science. This simple coffee filter activity was a hit with R (age 3) and required very little set up. It is low on mess too!

For this coffee filter absorption science / art activity you will need:

• Pack of coffee filters (any shape will do… I would recommend round but for some reason I had bought this weird shape)
• Empty spray bottle, to be filled with water
• A variety of mark making materials preferably some that will absorb water well like felt tips, water colours, and food colouring, as well as some others to contrast (like regular children’s paint, or chalk)

First, R coloured with each material onto a coffee filter

And then sprayed with water to see the change in his design.

Using the the water spray bottle is good for developing hand strength (needed for early hand writing skills) and is also always really appealing to my kids. They love the chance to use something different, and something that’s typically used by grown ups.

These are some of the materials we experimented with, and how they looked after being sprayed with the water. You can see that the colour runs more on the materials that absorb more water.

Felt tips

Liquid watercolours

Liquid food colouring

Gel food colouring

in contrast, this did not really absorb at all!

Children’s poster paint

This also did not absorb much at all.

Gather whatever art materials you have, and experiment with them with coffee filters and a water spray bottle. It’s lots of fun for preschoolers to see the cause and effect of the water, and to start coming to some basic conclusions about absorption.

Another great way to use coffee filters to explore absorption and filtration is with this clean water experiment, where instead of looking how much gets through the filter, you’re looking at what doesn’t get through, and how filters can help to keep our water clean and safe to drink.

This activity is really engaging for kids, and a way to link the concepts of absorbing and filtering into real world situations, for kids of all ages to understand.

For more science activities, follow our STEM board on Pinterest, or check out these posts:

• Egg Science Experiments
• Big Hero 6 Science Experiments : Fred’s Super Hero Invisible Ink
• Big Hero 6 Science Experiment : Baymax Rocket Fist
• Electric Playdough
• 10 Science Experiments for Kids

Follow Anna – In The Playroom’s board STEM : Science Technology Math and Engineering for Kids on Pinterest.

And don’t forget to pin this activity for later