


Ever try to stack liquids without letting them mix?



It looks like magic, but it’s not—it’s science!


Why Stack Liquids?




Science Secret—Density

So, let’s start with the science: This experiment is based on density. Think of this experiment like a liquid burrito.

Density measures how much mass is contained in a given unit volume (Density = Mass / Volume). Fancy words, but what do they mean?

density column black

With a little density knowledge and a steady hand, you can create your own liquid layer column.

Think of mass as the measure of how much stuff there is in an object or liquid.

Volume is the portion or how much there is of the object (for example 8 ounces [237 ml]).

Density is a measure of how tightly that stuff is packed together.

mass, volume and density

Learn more about mass, volume and density from this presentation at

If the weight or mass of something increases, but the volume remains the same, the density has to increase. Likewise, if the mass decreases but the volume stays the same, the density has to go down.

Lighter liquids like water or rubbing alcohol are less dense or have less “stuff” packed into them. Denser liquids like honey have more “stuff” packed into them.

Learn more about mass, volume and density by viewing this presentation.

Now that you understand density, let’s make stripes.

You Will Need

  • Clear glass cylinder (vase, jar, water glass, etc.)
  • Food coloring
  • Food baster
  • 7 plastic cups
  • Light corn syrup
  • Water
  • Vegetable oil
  • Dawn dish soap (blue)
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Lamp oil (select a cool color like red)
  • Honey
  • Scale (optional)

    project materials

    All of the materials you will need for this experiment.

Preparation Time

About 15 minutes

Activity Time

20-30 minutes and a lot of patience


Kitchen table or a flat surface that is easy to clean up

Here’s a quick video to show you what we’re going to do:

Watch this video to see how the density column experiment works, then do the experiment with your family.

Watch with your kids to see how it’s done, then read on for step-by-step instructions.

#1: Measure and Color

Measure each type of liquid into one of the seven plastic cups. We used 8 ounces of each. Depending on the size of your glass container, you may need more or less of each liquid. The key is to use the same amount of each while also filling up the container.

chemist measuring liquids

Measure the same amount of each liquid into different cups. Image source: iStockPhoto.

Color the corn syrup, the rubbing alcohol and the water different colors for dramatic effect. You can also leave them clear but the layers won’t stand out as strongly. If you want to see all of the stripes, color those three ingredients.

#2: Pour

You will layer the liquids in this order, starting at the bottom of the cylinder and working to the top:

  1. Honey – yellow/gold
  2. Corn syrup – we dyed ours red
  3. Dish soap – blue
  4. Water – colorless (dye it a color if you’d like)
  5. Vegetable oil – pale yellow
  6. Rubbing alcohol – we dyed ours green
  7. Lamp oil – We used red

Honey: Start the column by pouring the honey into the cylinder. Pour the honey into the center of the cylinder being very careful not to touch the sides while pouring.

pouring corn syrup

Pour the corn syrup slowly into the middle of the honey. Don’t let it touch the sides.


pouring syrup slowly

Pour slowly and be patient so the layers don’t mix.

Corn syrup: Next, layer the corn syrup (we dyed ours red). Pour it carefully and slowly in the middle and don’t let it touch the sides.

Dish soap: Repeat the same procedure for the dish soap. Pour the soap directly into the middle of the layer of corn syrup and take your time pouring.

#3: Trickle Down

There’s a secret to stacking the less-dense liquids without mixing them…

kids whispering

What’s the secret to stacking the liquids? Image source: iStockPhoto.

Water: For the water layer, you will need to use the food baster (Ta-dah!). From this point forward, it’s okay to let the liquids touch the sides. In fact, it’s a must!

Dip the food baster into the water in the cup, squeeze the bulb and draw up some water.

Rest the tip of the baster on the inside wall of the cylinder and slowly squeeze the bulb. Let the water slowly trickle down the glass to create the third layer.

pouring water slowly

Pour the water slowly, allowing it to run down along the side of the glass.

Vegetable oil: If you colored your water, rinse the food baster and fill it with the vegetable oil. Again, use the inside wall of the glass and let the oil trickle down the side.

Rubbing Alcohol: Since the oil will stick to the insides, wash the food baster with soap and water before you fill it with the rubbing alcohol. Use it and the inside wall to dribble the next layer.

density column red

Continue pouring each liquid down the side using the baster. A little mixing will occur but the liquids should separate after they settle.

Again, rinse the food baster and congratulate yourself. You are one layer away from a seven-layer science burrito.

almost done

You are almost done!

Lamp oil: Draw up the lamp oil in the food baster and keep your finger over the tip while you transport it to the cylinder. Finally, use the glass wall and the baster to fill your last layer.

Caution: Since lamp oil is flammable, you must do this final layer away from any open flames.

all done

What your science burrito will look like when you are all done.

Take a bow and a big sigh of relief. Now, give each other a hug. You’ve done it!

How did your stripes turn out? Be sure to take a picture!

Caution: You may make this in a drinking glass, but make sure your kids do not take a drink of this experiment!

You can make a three-color density column that IS safe to drink, using different ingredients.

#4: Take it Further

If you want to create an even cooler science burrito, go on a scavenger hunt to find a few items around your house like a safety pin, key, staple, peanut, raisin, chocolate chip, small rubber bouncy ball, ping pong ball, etc.

look closely

Drop items in and watch what they do.

Carefully drop each item into the center of the cylinder. Some items will stay near the top, others will sink part or all of the way down.

How Does it Work?

By understanding the science of density, we know the same amount or volume of two different liquids will have different weights, because they have different masses. The liquids that weigh more (have a higher density) will sink below the liquids that weigh less (have a lower density).

density chart

Liquids and their densities (based on manufacturer labels).

To test this yourselves, you can set up a scale and measure each of the liquids that you poured into your column.


If you dropped objects into the column, observe the different densities of the liquids versus the different densities of the objects.

each layer up close

Look at each layer up close. What do you see?


Some Final Thoughts

Encourage your kids to ask questions and test new liquids and objects. Do all brands of lamp oils exhibit the same characteristics or densities? What about corn syrup or vegetable oil? We smell the beginnings of a great science fair experiment.

young chemist

Your kids may start testing the density of everything. Keep ahold of your drinks! Image source: iStockPhoto.

In our experiments, we’ve also observed some of the layers switch places after the column sits for a few days. The layers of vegetable oil and rubbing alcohol switch places. The rubbing alcohol moves below the vegetable oil, indicating that the density changed. We are not exactly sure why the change occurred.

And remember the next time you are drinking iced tea, you will know why the ice cubes float. It’s all about density.

What do you think? We want to see your Liquid Layer Science Burrito. Share your family’s success story of the liquids you stacked and how many. Who can stack more than seven?

Images from iStockPhoto.


About the Author, Steve Spangler


  • Jennifer Ballard

    Thanks, Steve! This is so fun and colorful. Can’t wait to try it.

  • Crystal Foth

    Wow – this looks like so much fun! Love the science education with a twist and a fun activity.

  • Joe Siri Ekgren

    Looks like fun. How can this mix of chemicals be put to use after the experiment?

  • Steve Spangler

    Hi – you can let the liquid tower sit for a few days and observe what happens. We recommend that you dump the tower out when you are done. They start to get icky after awhile and you won’t want to keep them around.

  • Steve Spangler

    Thank you! Let us know if you try it and what you come up with.

  • geniya johnson

    thx u got me an A+ on my science fair project

  • michele

    Tried this put mistakenly used olive oil. It immediately switched layers w the rubbing alcohol that we poured in last.

  • Steve Spangler

    There are no mistakes in science, just experimentation. Very cool “accident” that demonstrated density right before your eyes.

  • Aruna Abi

    how many hours it will be there?

  • zevg

    i don’t know

Check out the Parenting Adventures podcast with Michael Stelzner
How to Have an Outdoor Photo Scavenger Hunt With Your Kids
How to Create a Backyard Treasure Hunt, Minecraft Style
How to Make Slime: 5 Easy Recipes
How to Entertain Your Kids for Hours With Adventure Tubs