Crystal Growing Trees
A fun and educational craft activity that combines art and science to create stunning trees made of colorful crystals.
Ingredients
Materials for Crystal Growing
- 1 cup Water For making the solution.
- 3 cups White sugar or salt To create the supersaturated solution.
- 1 Heat source (stove or kettle) For boiling the water.
- 1 Glass or clear jar To hold the crystal growing solution.
- 1 Pipe cleaners To shape into the tree.
- 1 Food coloring (optional) For coloring the crystals.
- 1 Spoon Spoon For stirring the solution.
- 1 piece String To hang the tree in the solution.
- 1 Binder clip or clothespin To secure the tree in the jar.
- 1 small pot Small pot For boiling the water.
Instructions
Preparation
- Twist the pipe cleaners into the desired tree shape. Make branches and a trunk, ensuring it's sturdy.
- Tie a string to the top of your pipe cleaner tree. This will help you hang it in the solution.
Make the Solution
- In a small pot, bring about 1 cup of water to a boil.
- Stir in about 3 cups of sugar or salt gradually until no more dissolves—this creates a supersaturated solution.
- If desired, add food coloring for a splash of color.
Set Up for Crystallization
- Allow the solution to cool slightly for a few minutes.
- Carefully pour the warm solution into your glass jar, leaving some space at the top.
- Carefully suspend your pipe cleaner tree in the jar using the string. Use a binder clip or clothespin to secure it to the jar's rim.
Wait for Magic
- Leave the jar undisturbed in a cool, dry place for several days.
- Check daily to watch the crystals form and grow!
Notes
Experiment with flavors using flavored gelatin for fun colors and scents. Use multiple pipe cleaners for varied designs. Mix glitter into the solution for extra sparkle. Allow the solution to cool longer for larger crystals.