How to Grow A Crystal Garden!

When a crystal grows, atoms or molecules join together in a pattern that repeats over and over again. Try this colorful crystal garden for a fun project during school holidays. The project calls for bluing, which can be found in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.

Things You'll Need

• Coal, charcoal briquettes or stones
• Shallow glass bowl
• Salt
• Bluing
• Ammonia
• Food coloring

Instructions

1. Place coal, charcoal briquettes or stones at the bottom of a shallow glass bowl. Use only one of these.

2. Combine 6 tablespoons of salt, 6 tablespoons of bluing, 6 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of ammonia in another bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon.

3. Pour the mixture over coal or rocks. Put a drop of food coloring over the mixture using different colors in each area to make a psychedelic garden.

4. Let stand for a few hours. Crystals will begin to form and will continue to grow for several days.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the ammonia tightly capped and out of reach of children.

References

• Yes Mag: Crystal Gardens