Instead of growing the expected winter snowflake crystal (although those are fun too), why not grow crystal hearts with your kids this weekend?
What you’ll need:
-string
-pipe cleaners
-borax,which you can buy in the laundry section of most grocery stores
-boiling water
-a heat-safe tin or tub
-something long enough to balance across the top (pencil, paint brush handle, ruler)
Step 1. Make your pipe cleaner heart.
Step 2. Tie a string to one end. Tie the other end to your pencil. Make sure that the string is short enough that your heart won’t touch the bottom of the container. We also tied the hearts upside down so that it kept the curves at the top.
Step 3. Boil water. Pour it carefully into the container. We also added food colouring, but it turns out that doesn’t make a difference to the end result.
Step 4. Add Borax, one tablespoonful at a time, and stir to dissolve. Keep stirring until it’s saturated and you’re starting to see grains that won’t dissolve.
Step 5. Lower your heart into the container, balance the pencil across the top (it helps to tape it in place so it doesn’t roll around), and ignore your container for several hours.
Step 6. Remove your crystal hearts and admire with your child. Hang it somewhere where it catches the light!
If you like the posts I write here, why not join us over at my blog The Usual Mayhem to see all the other things we get up to? You can keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, G+ or by email.
6 thoughts on “Grow a Valentine’s Day crystal heart”
Sara Mullett
(February 10, 2013 - 1:03 pm)Hi, found you through Share it Saturday over at Teach Beside Me – love this craft – so cute!
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com)
(February 12, 2013 - 11:54 am)Love this! I shared it with my Facebook readers =-)
Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great week,
Beth =-)
havingfunatchelleshouse
(February 12, 2013 - 8:22 pm)Very cute twist!
Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday.
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Amanda
(January 30, 2014 - 5:29 pm)Hi! I found your blog today while checking out neat Valentines ideas. I added this post to my Valentines Round Up on my blog today but then realized I should have double-checked with you about using one of your pictures. Currently, the picture links back to this post, as does your blog name in the description. If you’d prefer that I don’t use your picture I will remove it. Thanks for sharing your idea!
http://quietworkings.com/2014/01/30/valentines-day-round-2014/
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