Snowflake Growing Experiment
A fun and educational science project where you can create your own crystalline snowflakes at home using simple materials and learn about crystallization.
Ingredients
For the snowflake
- 1 cup Borax A cleaning product used to create the crystallization solution.
- 2 cups Boiling water Water should be boiling to dissolve the borax.
- as needed pieces Pipe cleaners Use white or any color; shape them into snowflakes.
- 1 piece Clean glass jar or container Required for holding the borax solution.
- 1 spoon Spoon for stirring Use to mix the borax and water.
- 1 piece Pencil or stick Used to suspend the pipe cleaner in the solution.
- optional String For hanging the snowflake.
- optional Food coloring Add to the solution for colored snowflakes.
Instructions
Preparing the Pipe Cleaner Snowflake
- Take several pipe cleaners and twist them together to form a snowflake shape.
- If using string, tie one end to your snowflake shape to hang it later.
Making the Borax Solution
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a kettle or pot.
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of borax to the boiling water.
- Use the spoon to stir the solution until the borax is completely dissolved.
Growing the Snowflake
- Carefully place the snowflake in the jar.
- Use a pencil or stick across the top of the jar to suspend the pipe cleaner in the solution without touching the sides or bottom.
- Leave the jar in a warm, undisturbed place for several hours (ideally overnight).
- Watch as the crystals form! This process can take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours.
Finishing Touches
- Once crystallization appears complete, carefully remove your snowflake from the jar.
- Rinse gently under cool water to remove excess borax.
- Allow it to dry completely before displaying.
Notes
Color your crystals by adding a few drops of food coloring to the boiling solution. Experiment with different shapes and create multiple snowflakes at once. Hang your snowflakes in windows or string them as a festive garland.