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Indoor activity

Chromatography Butterflies

Use the science of chromatography to create beautiful, vibrant butterfly wings from simple paper towels and markers!

Ages 5-12 0-1 hours Education 8/10

Materials

  • Markers
  • Paper Towels
  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Small Containers
  • Water

Illustrated Steps

1

Draw the Magic Circles

Draw a thick, colourful circle in the centre of a folded paper towel using your markers.

2

Prepare the Water

Fill a container with 1cm of water. Don't add too much—we only want the tip to touch!

3

Start the Chromatography

Rest the tip of the folded paper towel in the water and watch the colours climb and spread.

4

Dry and Shape

Once dry, pinch the middle and wrap a pipe cleaner around it to finish your butterfly.

What You’ll Create

You will transform plain white paper towels into stunning, multi-coloured butterfly wings using a process called chromatography. By drawing simple circles and letting water move through them, you’ll see hidden colours emerge and spread in amazing patterns.

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Draw the Magic Circles

Take a round paper towel or a square one folded into a circle. Use your markers to draw a thick, colourful circle in the very centre of the paper towel. You can use one colour or several!

Step 2: Prepare the Water

Fill a small container with just a tiny bit of water—about 1cm deep is plenty. You don’t want the paper towel to submerge; only the very tip should touch the water.

Step 3: Start the Chromatography

Fold your paper towel into a cone shape so that the plain white tip (the very centre of your circle) points down. Carefully rest the tip in the water container. Watch as the water travels up the paper towel, carrying the ink with it!

Step 4: Dry and Shape

Once the water has reached the edges, carefully remove the paper towel and lay it flat on a drying surface. Once it’s completely dry, pinch it in the middle and wrap a pipe cleaner around it to create the butterfly’s body and antennae.

Have fun!

  • Try different marker brands—do some spread faster than others?
  • Use black markers to see what ‘secret’ colours are hidden inside them!
  • Make a whole swarm of butterflies to decorate your room.

Why It’s Amazing

  • Chemistry in Action: Chromatography is a technique scientists use to separate mixtures. The water acts as a ‘solvent’, carrying the different pigment molecules at different speeds depending on their size.
  • Artistic Discovery: Every butterfly is unique! You never quite know exactly how the colours will bleed and blend until the water does its work.

Pro Tips

For the best results, use water-based markers (like felt-tips). Permanent markers won’t work because their ink doesn’t dissolve in water. If the water stops moving, make sure the tip is still touching the surface!