How to Grow Crystals Science Experiment

As a homeschooling mom I am always looking for fun, easy science experiments for kids that make kids go WOW! These colorful crystals are such a fun crystal science fair projects for at home or school. I will show you step-by-step how to grow crystals with your preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

How to grow crystals

This crystal science experiment is super easy and FUN for kids of all ages to try. Let me show you how to make salt crystals with just a few simple materials and only 20 minutes to set-up.  Over the next 1-2 weeks your crystals will grow and your preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students will be amazed! Ready to try this science project with how to grow crystals at home.

Crystal experiments

For this crystal growing science project all you need are a few simple materials:

• Coal (like you use on a bbq grill (I’ve heard cut up sponges will work too)
• Water in a squirt bottle
• 3 tablespoons uniodized salt
• 3 tablespoons ammonia (smells really strong so please use in a well ventilated area with the help of an adult)
• 6 tablespoons bluing
• morton salt (regular table salt)
• liquid food coloring (simple stuff you find in the cake aisle is what we used)
• glass pie pan to hold your crystals

Crystal science project

Day 1 – Put coal (or cut up sponges) on a pie plate. Spray the coal until it is moist, but there is not any extra water on the bottom.
Crystal growing science fair project

Mix together: 3 tablespoons uniodized salt, 3 tablespoons ammonia (smells really strong!), and 6 tablespoons bluing. Stir until the salt is dissolved.

Growing crystals science project

Pour the mixture evenly over the coal. Add a little water, stir, and pour the remaining mixture onto the coals. {You can see 2 year old Tinker Bell was fascinated with what was going on too!}

Grow crystals at home

Put drops of food coloring over the coals. {Areas without food coloring will be white.} Sprinkle with 2 TAB more of salt.

How to make crystals

Put your crystal garden somewhere where it will not be disturbed.

How to grow crystals at home

Day 2 – There are already some small white crystals growing.

Grow your own crystals

Day 3 – You have some very pretty and delicate crystals forming. You can be done at this point if you are satisfied or you can crank it u a notch and watch the crystals start to grow like CRAZY! Pour an additional mixture of 2 Tablespoons ammonia, 2 Tablespoons water, and 2 Tablespoons bluing in the bottom of the pan, careful not to disturb the delicate crystals. This will get pulled up through the coal as a food source.

How to grow crystals with salt

By day 12 our coal had all but dissapeared into large growths of crystal. We should have added more food coloring the 2nd time to get more colored formations. Instead the colored crystals started to get burried by large white, cauliflower looking crystals.

Have your children use a magnifying glass to observe the crystal up close. Pull off a piece and analyze what it feels like. Is it still delicate?

Now make sure to wash your hands with soap and water, throw out your project, and wash the pan and surface carefully.

Ready for your next fun science project? Check out these fun ideas below!

 

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