14 Candy Science Experiments

By Amy Cowen on October 20, 2022 3:00 PM

With a bit of extra candy on hand, students can do a range of fun candy science experiments!

Images of student projects that involve candy science, including candy DNA, candy gears, candy chromatography, candy diffusion, candy snap, and more (described and linked below)

14 Science Experiments that Use Candy!

You can put candy to scientific use at any time of the year!

The science projects listed below use candy as the basis for chemistry, physics, food science, and math exploration. In these experiments, students can explore diffusion, solubility, chromatography, chemical and physical properties, and more! These experiments can work well in the classroom or at home. (Reminder! Independent science project versions have been developed especially for students doing science fair projects!)

Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome: In this science activity, use gummy candies and toothpicks to build a geodesic dome and discover both its mathematical properties and its strength. (Build a larger geodesic dome from newspaper in the civil engineering independent science project.)
Candy Chromatography: In this science activity, use a salt-water solution, paper towels, and colorful candies for a paper chromatography experiment to see what colors are used in candy coatings. (Experiment with paper chromatography and use Rf values to compare the components of colored candy dyes with the components of food coloring dyes in the independent science project version. A convenient science kit is also available. For more information and related experiments, see Paper Chromatography Science Projects & Experiments.)
Candy Camouflage: In this science activity, use two types of candies to learn about mimicry, a type of camouflage that helps protect some animals from predators. (independent science project version)
Candy Core Samples: In this science activity, use candy bars to make "candy core samples" and learn how similar samples are used in geology.
Candy DNA Model: In this genetics activity, use rope-like candy and gummy or soft candies in different colors to make candy models of DNA and to learn about DNA pairs and the double-helix structure.
Candy Snap: In this science project, learn about materials science using different types of candy. Observe characteristics like flexibility, ductility, and brittleness and experiment to see if changing the temperature of the candy affects its properties.
Candy Waterfalls: Can Candy Flow Like Water?: In this science activity, learn how granular flow rate is used in packaging granular items. Investigate how the size and shape of granular materials affect how they flow. (Investigate how the size of different granular materials affects their mass flow rate through a funnel with the independent science project version.)
Dancing Candy Hearts: In this science activity, experiment to see what happens when you drop candies into a carbonated drink.
Gear Up Your Candy: In this science activity, use plastic lids and gummy candies to make an interconnected set of gears. Students will learn about cogs (teeth) and observe how the size of the gear relates to the speed at which it turns.
Keep Your Candy Cool With the Power of Evaporation!: In this science activity, discover how to use the evaporation of water to keep chocolate-covered candy from melting. (Further explore how to use evaporative cooling to keep chocolate candies from melting with the independent science project version.)
Mouthwatering Candy Melt: In this food science activity, experiment with hard and gummy candies to see what happens when the candies are soaked in water.
Rainbow Candy: In this science activity, use light-bending diffraction to make rainbow candy without using any food coloring.
M&M Geometry : In this math and geometry activity, investigate to see which mathematical formula is most accurate for estimating the volume of an M&M. (Explore further with the independent science project version.)
Statistical Science: M&M Math: In this math activity, learn about probability and prediction and do a simple statistical analysis of the frequency of colors of M&M's in a bag. (independent science project version)