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How to Make Easy Crystals

Growing crystals not only helps to demonstrate how crystals form in nature, but the results also can be decorative, used as a science project or even eaten. Since these crystals form so quickly, children can see how crystals form over thousands of years in a matter of a few days. It can also help them understand terms like supersaturation, precipitate and evaporation. Adults may also enjoy making these crystals as a low-maintenance "garden" or as a weekend project simply for knowledge's sake.

Things You'll Need

Glass jar
Warm water
Sugar
Spoon
Food coloring
Flavoring extract
Skewer
Cardboard square

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a glass jar with warm water and dissolve as much sugar in it as you can. Stir in the sugar until it stops dissolving and simply settles on the bottom of the jar. This means the water is supersaturated and ready for crystal-growing.
- 2
  Stir in a little food coloring and flavoring extract to create crystal candy. Match the color with the flavor---for example, use green for mint, orange for orange and red and orange together for root beer.
- 3
  Push the pointed end of a skewer through the center of a piece of cardboard. Set the cardboard over the jar so the skewer sits in the solution but does not touch the bottom.
- 4
  Place the jar in a warm, sunny area and wait 24 hours. Small crystals should begin to form on the skewer as the liquid evaporates.
- 5
  Wait another few days until most of the water is gone or until the crystals reach a favorable size. Remove the cardboard from the jar and extract the skewer. Admire your handiwork before consuming it.

Rocks & Minerals