Description
Create stunning and colorful crystal flowers with this fun, educational project that combines science and art.
Ingredients
- Clean glass jar (e.g., mason jar)
- Pipe cleaners (various colors)
- Hot water
- Borax (available in the laundry aisle)
- Food coloring (optional)
- Spoon for stirring
- String (for hanging, optional)
- Wax paper (to catch drips)
Instructions
- Shape the Pipe Cleaners: Twist and bend pipe cleaners into a flower shape, using different colors for a vibrant look.
- Prepare Your Jar: Set the shaped flowers in the jar, ensuring they are not touching the sides.
- Heat the Water: Boil about 1 cup of water in a pot or kettle.
- Mix in Borax: Add 3 tablespoons of Borax to the hot water and stir until completely dissolved. Optionally, add food coloring for a color boost.
- Pour the Solution: Pour the hot Borax solution into the jar, covering the pipe cleaner flowers completely.
- Set Up: Place the jar in a cool, undisturbed location.
- Wait and Watch: Crystals will begin to form within a few hours; for best results, leave undisturbed overnight.
- Remove the Flowers: After 24 hours, carefully remove the flowers from the jar and lay them on wax paper to dry.
Notes
This project is great for all skill levels, even children with adult supervision. You can experiment with different colors and shapes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Craft
- Method: Crafting
- Cuisine: N/A