This growing crystals recipe makes a fun science experiment for kids! Growing crystals is an easy craft for kids and they just love watching the crystals grow a little more and making new and interesting patterns each day! Adding the food coloring makes it more colorful and also helps them see more clearly how the crystals are forming!
Growing Crystals Recipe – Fun Kids Science Experiment
Who doesn’t remember growing crystals in school and how much fun it was to see the changes each day? You don’t have to be a professional to grow crystals at home and it’s a great science experiment for kids. Try this easy recipe and enjoy the magic!
Crystals Recipe
- bluing
- ammonia
- salt
- liquid food coloring
- water
Day #1: Place damp sponge pieces in a shallow glass or plastic bowl. Pour 2 Tbsp. each of bluing, salt, water and ammonia over the sponge pieces.
Day #2: Add 2 Tbsp. salt.
Day #3: Add 2 Tbsp. each bluing, salt, water and ammonia. Avoid pouring on the crystal growth because the crystals can be easily damaged. Repeat Day #3 as needed to keep the crystals growing. For color, add drops of your choice of food coloring.
*Bluing can be purchased in the laundry section at the store.
This recipe is one of many in our popular cookbook:
[dining]
Will this continue to grow as long as you add “day 3”?
Bluing is a liquid purchased in the detergent isle?
Thanks,
Michelle
Michelle yes and yes. 🙂 Bluing is usually in the laundry detergent section although it is often on a high or low shelf in that area.
I love this idea….thank you…you are amazing, I enjoy your blog so much!!!
Are the crystal water proof or will they melt when they get wet?
They will melt when wet Amber.
I needed this at Easter! I had purchased a $1 kit for making crystals from Target for my son’s Easter basket and it didn’t have instructions with it–we got it to work, but this would have been so much simpler. 🙂
just an FYI…this is a toxic project and all warning lables should be adhered to, especially if you have young children or curious pets.
Thank you for posting this! I remember making these as a kid, when bluing was a staple at Grams house! 🙂
Interesting… haven’t seen this before. Looks like a rock in the photo rather than a sponge piece. Must you start with sponge pieces? If so, any requirements for the type of sponge? (ie. must it be natural sponge?)
You can use rocks, string, cotton balls, or any kind of sponge and it doesn’t need to be a natural one.
In your picture the crystals are more dense and clear how did you make such pretty crystals I got the white cotton candy looking fungus
My mom and I used to make these in a bowl and used charcoal pieces as a base. Looked like a rock garden!!
thanks for this wonderful website with all the hints. I bought your cookbook and love it!! Thanks for all of your hard work.