I remember when I was in junior school we learnt how to make crystals. The set up so easy and it was the topic of conversation over the course of the week as we all watched the crystals form and seemingly grow before out eyes.
Recommended age: 4 years+
(Active supervision is required on all my activities)
To make crystals all you need is –
- 2 x jars or glasses
- String or wool (as long as your arm)
- 2 x paper clips
- Very warm water
- Bi-Carb soda or baking soda
- Spoon
Begin by filling the glasses with warm water and stirring a teaspoon of Bi-Carb soda into each. Continue to add teaspoons on Bi-Carb soda until it will not dissolve any more.
Slide a paper clip onto each end of the piece of wool or string. Don’t wrap it around the paper clip (as shown) as it will struggle to sink. Just slide it on so that it acts as a weight and keeps it in place.
This is what it will look like after a week!
If you follow this method of making crystals you will possibly find that the glasses themselves develop crystals. Don’t worry, Bi-Carb soda will not cause any damage. These glasses washed up bright and sparkling from the Bi-Carb soda.
Would your children enjoy this type of science activity?
Here are some other science activities you’ll love –
Great value ebooks featuring Laughing Kids Learn
Follow Kate @ LaughingKidsLearn’s board Laughing Kids Learn on Pinterest.
So pretty!
All over the glasses and everything! How fun. I know Jack would love watching these grow. I wonder how it happens…. 🙂
That is so cool. We are doing it this week. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh cool! Definitely doing this, it’s so easy & yet so interesting
AWESOME! I remember making salt crystals using regular old salt but our results were nothing like yours using bi carb, that looks spectacular! We HAVE to try this.
Very cool!
This looks awesome! Could we add some food colouring to make coloured crystals?
so cool! My kids love a bit of simple, yet magical, science!
Love them Kate…such a great explanation too!!
I love this Kate! We are going to give this a go so thanks so much for sharing.
Haha, I have never seen both the glasses go quite like that! Very cool! Thanks for reminding me of this fun activity! 🙂
I’ll be featuring this on The Sunday Showcase this weekend. Thank you for linking up!
It really looks beautiful, but I love the learning outcomes for this activity
Such a neat idea!!! Pinning so we will do this later – my boys would love it.
Very cool. I will pin this so I can do it when my son is older. Thanks for linking up for Mummy Mondays too. 🙂
Such a great idea, I will pin this so I can do it with my son when he’s older. Thanks for linking up for Mummy Mondays.
Kate this is so cool! We tried something similar recently with just salt and water – it didn’t turn out nearly as well. Bi-carb is definitely the way to good. We’re going to give this a try.
What a fun science experiment. I feel like doing this just for myself!
Hello Kate^^
I’m a student from Taiwan.
I want to ask you some question about this experiment.
The question is “Is take how much time to freezes?”
No freezing but the ingredients over time crystallise.
So cool! can’t wait to give this a try with my girls.
Thanks Natasha! I’d love you to pop back and let me know how you got on. I’m sure your girls will love it. So much fun. 🙂