Crystal Trees…

These fun crystal trees are best for the Big Kid Scientists…but the little kids can watch the set up and observe the crystals growing.

Materials: salt, ammonia, water, Mrs. Stewart’s Laundry Bluing, food color, sponge, small plastic or glass bowl

Procedure:

1.  Cut the sponge into a shape.  The crystals will “grow” on the sponge, so choose something large.  The boys made trees.

2. Mix the crystal solution (adult supervision is necessary).  Combine 6 TB water, 6 TB bluing, and 6 TB of salt in a 2 c measuring cup.  Stir until the salt is dissolved.

3. Using food colors, dot the sponge with color.  The crystals will absorb the color as the water evaporates.

4. Place the sponge into the bowl.   We anchored ours with toothpicks to make them stand up.  Pour the crystal solution over the sponge and allow it to pool in the bowl. 

5. Find a safe place…away from small children, pets and movement…to allow crystallization.  As the water evaporates from the solution, crystals will form on the sponge.

I’d love to hear about your results…let me know how your crystal trees turned out!