I live in sunny Arizona. Right now, in the middle of December, it’s still 70 degrees. We have to work a little harder to get that holiday, wintery feeling here, but we always find ways to make it fun.
One of my favorites? Making crystal snowflakes! This DIY crystal snowflake is a fun chemistry project for kids. In the instructional video for this project, we’ll talk all about snowflakes, how icicles form, the chemical reaction and how crystals form, and then show you step-by-step how to make your own crystals. (Check out the video instructions here!)
The supplies you’ll need to grow your own crystal snowflake and icicle are:
2 Paper clips
2 Wooden stir sticks
One of the most fun parts of this project is designing your own snowflake! Every snowflake is unique, so you can create your snowflake however you want. There is no right or wrong way to do it. In the instructional video, we’ll show you how to get the basic snowflake shape, but then you can customize it however you want!
You’ll probably need an adult to help for this next part. Once your snowflake and icicle are constructed, it’s time to prepare the crystal-growing solution! This requires boiling water. We’ll show you how to boil water in the microwave, but it could also be done on the stove. Either way, be extremely careful, as you could get burned from the hot water, and ALWAYS pick up the measuring cup by the handle. It’s okay to ask for help from a grown up!
Slowly stir in the crystal solution until it’s all dissolved. Then suspend your pipe cleaner snowflake and icicle in the solution. This next part might be the hardest… waiting! Crystals take some time to form. Place a paper towel over your measuring cup to keep the heat inside. Give the crystals 24 hours to grow. When it’s time to take them out, have a towel ready because they’ll be wet.
Don’t they look so cool? And the other cool thing? No two snowflakes will look alike! You could do this project again and again, and they’ll look a little different every time. Hang your snowflakes in the window for a fun, shimmery decoration.