How to Grow a Crystal Garden

Crystal gardens are an amazing experience for a child, and can be a great science lesson, as well. It's a perfect example of how crystals form by connecting molecules together in perfectly repeating patterns. If you keep your explanation short and then get on to the fun, children can learn something and create a great craft, too!


Adults can discover the magic of growing crystals, as well, and create fairyland landscapes in any glass or china bowl with simple ingredients. Food coloring is optional, but if you add food coloring to your craft, the results are awesome.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass or china bowl, placed on a tray or platter
• 6 tbsp Salt
• 6 tbsp Liquid bluing
• 6 tbsp Water
• 1 tbsp Ammonia
• Food coloring (optional)
• Small rocks or charcoal briquets

1. Carefully combine the salt, bluing, water, and ammonia.

2. Pour it over small pieces of rock or charcoal briquets in a glass or china bowl. At this point, you can also drip on the food coloring if you like.

3. Put your project in a place where it will be undisturbed. Crystals will start to grow soon. Add water from time to time to keep the crystals growing.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you use a GLASS or CHINA bowl.
• You will find bluing in the laundry aisle at the grocery store.
• Be sure to place the bowl on a platter or tray because crystals will grow over the sides.
• Ingredients used in this craft are toxic, so parental supervision is required.

Resources

• Fabulous Freebies and Fun Links for Kids