Borax Crystals

 

I think this was one of the coolest things we've done in awhile. I'm still fascinated by how this worked. (And a little frightened by the wonders of Borax.)

This is so easy to do and it's so much fun to see the look on everyone's faces as the crystals grow.

Here's what you'll need:

* Pipe Cleaners

* Tap Water

* Borax Soap (found in the laundry detergent aisle)

* Pencils

* String

* Mason Jars or some kind of containers

Bend your pipe cleaners into any shapes.

Measure how much string you will need by hanging the pipe cleaner at the top of the container and have it hang so it doesn't touch the bottom of the container. Tie it to the pencil.

Fill your container up with very warm tap water (enough to cover the pipe cleaner.)  You can use boiling water but I wanted my kids to be able to do the mixing, so I didn't want it that hot.

Slowly add the Borax.  Stir and add more.  You want to add enough so that you can visibly see the Borax (and not have it all dissolve.)

Now hang your pencil on the container and, here's the hard part... let it sit.  My kids had a hard time just letting them sit.  They had to check them... often.

This was after about two hours...

You can let them sit overnight if you do it in the evening.  Or wait a couple of hours and voila!  Borax crystals.

Just make sure that if you use a mason jar or something with a smaller opening that your crystal doesn't get so big you can't get it out of the opening =o)

What do you think?  My kids LOVED them!!!  

Thank you Homemade Mamas for posting this fun craft for us to enjoy!!!

I'm linking to the parties on my sidebar.