How to Grow Your Own Crystal Garden Decorations

Learn how to use simple household ingredients to grow sparkling, colorful crystals on garden structures for a fun science experiment.

1. Shape your base. Twist your pipe cleaners into fun shapes like stars, hearts, or circles. Make sure the shape is small enough to fit inside your jar without touching the sides or the bottom.
2. Prepare the solution. Ask a grown-up to pour 4 cups of boiling water into your jar. Slowly add the Borax powder, one tablespoon at a time, stirring with your wooden spoon until it dissolves. Keep adding until you see a little bit of powder sitting at the bottom that won't dissolve anymore.
3. Add color and suspend. If you want colored crystals, add a few drops of food coloring to the water. Tie a piece of string to your pipe cleaner shape and tie the other end to the middle of your pencil. Rest the pencil across the top of the jar so the shape hangs in the water without touching the sides.
4. Wait for the magic. Place your jar in a spot where it won't be bumped. Leave it undisturbed for at least 24 hours. As the water cools, the Borax will come out of the liquid and attach itself to your shape, forming beautiful crystals.