Baking Soda Crystal Growing Tree
A fun and engaging craft that combines science and art by growing beautiful tree-like structures using baking soda and water, perfect for all ages.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Baking soda Essential for crystal formation.
- 1 cup Water Mix with baking soda.
Optional Materials
- as desired Food coloring For coloring the crystals.
- 1 Pipe cleaners For shaping the tree.
- 1 jar Glass jar or container To grow the crystals.
- 1 String or fishing line To suspend the pipe cleaner tree.
- 1 Small weight (like a washer or pebble) To help the tree sink in the solution.
- 1 Spoon For stirring the solution.
Instructions
Preparation
- Twist pipe cleaners into a tree shape, with a trunk and branches. Make sure it fits within the jar or container.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of baking soda. Stir thoroughly until dissolved.
- If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the solution and mix it in.
Setup
- Tie the string or fishing line around the top of your pipe cleaner tree. Attach a small weight to the end to help it sink.
- Carefully lower the tree into the glass jar, ensuring it doesn’t touch the sides or bottom.
- Gently pour the baking soda solution into the jar over the tree, ensuring it is fully submerged.
Crystallization
- Place the jar in a safe, undisturbed spot and allow the solution to sit. Crystals will begin to form in a few hours and will become larger over several days.
Completion
- Once the crystals have reached your desired size, carefully remove the tree from the jar. You can rinse off excess solution under cold water.
Notes
Explore variations with color, size, and container types. This project combines creativity and science, making it ideal for group activities.