Crystal Growing
A fun and educational project to grow beautiful crystals using simple household materials, perfect for all ages.
Ingredients
Materials Needed
- 1 cup Borax
- 2 cups Water Hot water for dissolving borax
- 1 piece Clear glass jar To grow the crystals in
- 1 piece String or pipe cleaner To anchor the crystals
- 1 piece Pencil or stick To suspend the string in the jar
- optional Food coloring For colorful crystals
- 1 piece Saucepan For heating water
Instructions
Preparing the Solution
- Pour 2 cups of water into a saucepan and heat until it's boiling.
- Gradually add 1 cup of borax to the boiling water, stirring continuously until fully dissolved.
Setting Up Crystal Growth
- Tie a piece of string or a bent pipe cleaner to the pencil or stick.
- Dip the string or pipe cleaner into the solution and then lay the pencil across the top of the jar so that the string hangs into the liquid without touching the bottom.
Growing Crystals
- Place the jar in a cool, undisturbed location.
- Wait and watch as crystals will begin to form over a few hours and can continue to grow for several days.
Notes
Keep the jar undisturbed for optimal crystal growth. You can use various shapes for crystal anchors and modify the borax concentration for different results. Experiment with different materials for varied crystalline forms.