---
title: "STEM with SOLO: Tie-Dye Milk"
description: Try this tie-dye STEM activity. All you need is milk, food coloring, dish soap and a Solo Plate!
image: https://blog.solocup.com/hubfs/tiedye4.png
---

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# READY.SET.FUN

 From backyard BBQ to birthday to at home fun, we have tons of activities, food, and drink ideas. 

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![](https://blog.solocup.com/hubfs/tiedye4.png)

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# STEM with SOLO: Tie-Dye Milk

Get groovy with this psychedelic milk experiment. Pick your favorite color combo and get to work creating a stellar visual that every little scientist will enjoy.

# Step 1

Pour a thin layer of milk into a [Solo Paper Plate](https://www.solocup.com/products/10-in-paper-plate/) so it covers the entire bottom.

![tiedye4](https://blog.solocup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tiedye4.png?width=600&name=tiedye4.png)

# Step 2

Next, drop four different colors of food coloring close to each other in the center of the plate.

![tiedye5](https://blog.solocup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tiedye5.png?width=600&name=tiedye5.png)

# Step 3

Dip the cotton swab in your cup of dish soap.

![tiedye6](https://blog.solocup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tiedye6.png?width=600&name=tiedye6.png)

# Step 4

Then dab it on top of the food coloring and watch the reaction.

# What makes the food coloring move like that?

When the food coloring is added to the milk it sits on top of the fat that is in the milk. Dish detergent is formulated to break fats apart so the movement you see is the fat in the milk breaking apart and carrying the food coloring with it.

Check out these other fun [STEM ideas](https://blog.solocup.com/solo-stem-activities)!

 Topics: [How To](https://blog.solocup.com/topic/how-to), [kids](https://blog.solocup.com/topic/kids), [DIY](https://blog.solocup.com/topic/diy), [family](https://blog.solocup.com/topic/family), [STEM](https://blog.solocup.com/topic/stem)

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