Borax Crystals
Create stunning Borax crystals while exploring basic chemistry concepts in a fun and engaging DIY project for children.
Ingredients
Materials
- 1 cup Borax Available at grocery or hardware stores.
- 3 cups boiling water Used to dissolve Borax.
- 1 clear glass container jar or bowl For holding the crystal solution.
- 1 string or pipe cleaner For crystal formation.
- 1 pencil or stick To suspend the string.
- as needed food coloring Optional for colorful crystals.
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil 3 cups of water in a kettle or pot.
- Carefully add 1 cup of Borax to the boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. You should see some residue at the bottom; that's normal!
Setup
- While the solution cools slightly, shape your pipe cleaner into a fun design (like a star or heart) or leave it straight.
- Tie one end of the string around your shaped pipe cleaner and attach the other end to a pencil or stick.
Combine and Suspend
- Pour the Borax solution into your glass container.
- Carefully suspend the pipe cleaner shape in the solution, ensuring it doesn’t touch the sides or bottom of the container.
Wait for Crystals
- Place the container in a quiet, undisturbed spot where it won't be disturbed.
- After several hours (or overnight), check to see the grown crystals! The longer you wait, the larger they’ll grow.
Notes
You can customize your crystals by using different colors and shapes for the pipe cleaner. Remember to supervise children during the project and ensure they wash their hands afterward.