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How to Make Magic Crystal Salt Gardens

Growing a magic crystal salt garden is a good activity to teach children about the principles of evaporation, about natural crystal growth and just to make an interesting kind of garden. Crystal gardens are made using any kind of porous material as a base to grow the crystals on and are portable if arranged in a tray.

Things You'll Need

Porous items
2 tbsp. salt
2 tbsp. laundry bluing
4 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. ammonia
Food coloring (optional)
Disposable cup
Spoon
Tray

Instructions

- 1
  Arrange the porous items on the tray̵2;these can be sponges, bits of clay pots, bits of brick and porous rock or even parts of egg cartons.
- 2
  Mix the water with the salt in the disposable cup, stirring until mostly dissolved. Add the ammonia and laundry bluing and stir. If you want colored crystals, add a few drops of food coloring, otherwise continue for white crystals.
- 3
  Pour the mixture over the porous items in the tray, scooping out any undissolved salt, covering all of the items with the mixture.
- 4
  Place the tray in a well ventilated area (preferably a covered outdoor area) and leave overnight. Crystal will form by morning.

Rocks & Minerals