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How to make Crystals

August 6, 2013 by Kate 26 Comments

Do you know how to make crystals? It’s actually quite easy to do and children love observing the scientific changes over time. You only need a few commonly found household ingredients. 
How to make crystals

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)

How to make crystals 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. 

How to make crystals

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. 

How to make crystals
 
Set everything up as shown above. Be sure to have the string sag in the middle and a tray of some kind ready to catch any drips. The string will soak up the liquid and begin making crystals over a period of a week. 

How to make crystals
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. 

Why does this happen? 
The wool soaks up the liquid and once the water evaporates all that is left is the crystals from the Bi-Carb soda. I think it’s pretty cool and a great way to make daily observations. 

Would your children enjoy this type of science activity? 

Here are some other science activities you’ll love – 

Make a rain cloud with this simple science experiment for kids   Make flubber recipe for kids the easy way.  Easy science experiment for kids that will teach them about colours and chemical reactions

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Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Recipes, Science

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    August 6, 2013 at 2:45 am

    So pretty!

    Reply
  2. Kate - An Everyday Story says

    August 6, 2013 at 5:07 am

    All over the glasses and everything! How fun. I know Jack would love watching these grow. I wonder how it happens…. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Boy Mama Teacher Mama says

    August 6, 2013 at 5:49 am

    That is so cool. We are doing it this week. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  4. Rez P says

    August 6, 2013 at 5:50 am

    Oh cool! Definitely doing this, it’s so easy & yet so interesting

    Reply
  5. Caz says

    August 6, 2013 at 11:49 am

    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.

    Reply
  6. Bekka Joy says

    August 6, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Very cool!

    Reply
  7. superstar says

    August 6, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    This looks awesome! Could we add some food colouring to make coloured crystals?

    Reply
  8. katepickle says

    August 7, 2013 at 3:38 am

    so cool! My kids love a bit of simple, yet magical, science!

    Reply
  9. Jodie Clarke says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Love them Kate…such a great explanation too!!

    Reply
  10. Suzie's Home Education Ideas says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    I love this Kate! We are going to give this a go so thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  11. Deborah Alter-Rasche says

    August 8, 2013 at 6:53 am

    Haha, I have never seen both the glasses go quite like that! Very cool! Thanks for reminding me of this fun activity! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Allison Sonnier says

    August 9, 2013 at 4:10 am

    I’ll be featuring this on The Sunday Showcase this weekend. Thank you for linking up!

    Reply
  13. Jackie(My Little Bookcase) says

    August 10, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    It really looks beautiful, but I love the learning outcomes for this activity

    Reply
  14. Chelsea Lee Smith says

    August 11, 2013 at 12:07 am

    Such a neat idea!!! Pinning so we will do this later – my boys would love it.

    Reply
  15. Eva - The Multitasking Mummy says

    August 11, 2013 at 5:34 am

    Very cool. I will pin this so I can do it when my son is older. Thanks for linking up for Mummy Mondays too. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Eva - The Multitasking Mummy says

    August 11, 2013 at 5:35 am

    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.

    Reply
  17. Ness @ One Perfect Day says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:31 am

    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.

    Reply
  18. Hannah says

    August 12, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    What a fun science experiment. I feel like doing this just for myself!

    Reply
  19. 馬書晨(Ma suchen) says

    February 12, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    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?”

    Reply
    • Kate says

      February 14, 2014 at 8:30 am

      No freezing but the ingredients over time crystallise.

      Reply
  20. Natasha says

    July 10, 2015 at 11:41 pm

    So cool! can’t wait to give this a try with my girls.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      July 11, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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    March 12, 2014 at 6:49 am

    […] I have taught you how to grow crystals indoors, but this time we are going to learn how to grow a carrot top! We seem to eat an abundance […]

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  2. 50 Ways to Connect with Sons (Through Activities Mama Enjoys, Too) - Moments A Day says:
    March 20, 2015 at 12:48 am

    […] Grow some crystals. […]

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  3. 50 Ways to Connect with Sons | says:
    April 4, 2015 at 6:46 am

    […] Grow some crystals. […]

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    May 20, 2015 at 4:29 am

    […] you remember making crystals when you were a kid?  Follow Laughing Kids Learn’s tutorial to do it with your […]

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Welcome
Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
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