How to Make Rock Candy

Making rock candy - which is actually just sugar crystals on a string - can be a remarkably enjoyable and edible science project, as well as a tasty treat. Follow these simple steps to have a batch ready in no time.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• pencils
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sugars
• paper and binder clips
• food coloring
• 1 quart jars or glass
• cotton strings
• ice cream sticks
• Food Coloring
• Ice Cream Sticks
• 1 Quart Jars Or Glass
• Pencils
• Paper And Binder Clips
• Cotton Strings

1. Sterilize the glass jar and paper clip by boiling both in water for a few minutes.

2. Tie a short piece of kitchen string to the middle of a pencil or Popsicle stick.

3. Attach the paper clip to the end of string. (The clip will weigh the string down - this is important later.)

4. Moisten string lightly and roll in sugar (this helps the crystals form on the string).

5. Place the pencil or stick over top of a jar. Make sure clip is in the bottom of jar and the string hangs straight down into jar.

6. Heat 1 cup water to boil.

7. Dissolve 2 cups sugar in boiling water.

8. Add a few drops food coloring if you like.

9. Pour sugar syrup into jar and leave for 2 to 3 days or until crystals form on the string.

Tips & Warnings

• Crystals should start to grow in 2 to 4 hours and continue to grow for a couple of days. For big crystals - fast - heat the sugar-water solution a second time and dissolve extra sugar in it.

• The sugar mixture is very hot and children will need adult supervision.