How to Make Crystals for Children
Children love science experiments. They also love candy. Combining a science experiment with the power of sugar makes for a great learning experience. Growing sugar crystals will fascinate your kids. And, once grown, the sugar crystals can be eaten like a piece of candy. Your kids will be to do this experiment over and over, giving you the opportunity to explain in depth how crystals form.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring cups
- Water
- Glass jar
- Microwave
- Granulated sugar
- Hot pad
- Spoon
- Food coloring
- String
- Pencil
- Paper clip
- Towel
Instructions
Measure out 1 ½ cups of water into a glass jar with a measuring cup. Place the jar into the microwave and heat the water on high until the water begins to boil. Measure ¾ cup of granulated sugar with a measuring cup. Place the granulated sugar into a bowl and set aside. Remove the jar of boiling water from the microwave with a hot pad. Slowly add the ¾ cup of granulated sugar to the boiling water. Stir the sugar into the water with a spoon until it dissolves. If the water does not dissolve the sugar it may not be hot enough. Reheat it in the microwave until it boils again. Stir the sugar-water until all of the sugar is dissolved. Drip a couple of drops of food coloring into the sugar water and stir. The food coloring will create color in the crystals as they form. Tie a string around the middle of a pencil. Slowly lower the string into the jar filled with the sugar water solution. To keep the string straight, tie a paper clip around the bottom end of it. Cover the jar with a towel to keep dirt or dust from getting into the solution as the crystals form. Wait several days and watch with your kids as the crystals form. Once the crystals form, take them out and eat them like you would eat regular candy.
