May 18, 2020
Grow "Ice" Crystals
In keeping with today's arctic theme, a chance to grow your own "ice" crystals
If all the arctic themed posts today are making you wish for snow again, here's a way to make yourself some crystal snowflakes without even getting cold. Because these will dissolve if you get them wet again, you can re-make your crystals if you aren't happy with your shapes the first time! You might want to experiment with different kinds of bases too, from copper wire to paper clips or pipe cleaners to see which give you the best results.
Materials you will need for today's project:
- pipe cleaners or soft wire
- pliers
- 1 glass jar
- Borax soap flakes
- water
- pencil or chopstick
- string
Instructions:
- Make a shape out of your wire - we went for a snowflake, but get creative!
- Fill your glass jar with water, pour into measuring cup and record amount
- Transfer water to a small pot and bring to a boil
- Remove from heat and add 3 tablespoons Mule Team Borax for each cup of water (check back on that measurement you took earlier!)
- Stir until all of the borax is dissolved; do not worry if there are still some flakes after a few minutes of stirring - it means you have created a super saturated solution which will work great for growing crystals
- Optional: add food coloring for colored crystals!
- Pour your solution into jar and suspend your wire shape fully submersed from a string tied to a pencil or chopstick
- As the solution cools crystals will begin to appear and continue to grow for the next 24 hours
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