How to Make Crystal in a Day

Sun Crystals

• 1

  Cut a piece of black construction paper into a circle that is large enough to cover the bottom of your pie pan. Place the construction paper in the bottom of the pan.

• 2

  Measure out 1/4 cup of warm water. Add 1 tbsp. of Epsom salt to the warm water and stir the mixture well with a spoon until the salt dissolves.

• 3

  Pour the water and Epsom salt mixture into the bottom of the pie pan. Make sure to cover the black paper with the mixture.

• 4

  Place the pie pan on a flat surface outside in the sun. Wait until the water evaporates; depending on the temperature and weather conditions, this could take as few as two or as many as six hours. When the water evaporates completely, crystals will remain on the black construction paper.

Refrigerator Crystals

• 5

  Pour 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into the paper or plastic cup and add 1/2 cup of hot water. Stir the mixture with a spoon until the Epsom salt is almost completely dissolved.

• 6

  Place the cup in the refrigerator while the water is still hot. You should put the cup in a spot where it won't be disturbed.

• 7

  Wait four hours before looking inside the cup to see the crystals that have formed on the bottom. Pour out any excess water. Carefully lift the crystals from the cup and place them gently on a paper towel. Let them dry for at least an hour.

Pipe Cleaner Crystals

• 8

  Cut the pipe cleaner into three equal sections. Twist the sections together in the middle, creating a six-sided shape that resembles a star. Attach a string along the outer edges of the shape, forming a snowflake-like pattern. Tie a piece of string around one end of the "snowflake." Hold the other end and lower it into a wide-mouthed glass jar until it's 1-inch from the bottom.

• 9

  Take the string at the top of the jar with your fingertip and tie it around the center of a pencil. Lay the pencil on top of the jar opening and double-check your measurements. The "snowflake" should hang freely near the bottom of the jar. Remove the pencil, string and pipe cleaner from the jar and place to the side.

• 10

  Boil one cup of water. Pour the boiling water into the glass jar. Stir in 3 tbsp. of Borax. Mix the solution with a spoon until the Borax is dissolved. Take note, however, that the Borax may not dissolve completely.

• 11

  Hang the snowflake in the jar so that it is covered by the Borax and water solution. Place the jar in a safe spot where it won't be disturbed. Wait eight hours for the crystals to form on the pipe cleaner "snowflake."