Tis the season for candy canes everywhere! Why not try making crystal candy canes you can even hang up as Christmas tree ornament. This is a fun science experiment for kids where they can actually check out how crystals grow and learn a bit about suspension science {chemistry}. Growing crystals on pipe cleaner candy canes are easier than you might think. Join us for our 25 Days of Christmas STEM Countdown Calendar and countdown to Christmas with STEM activities!

It’s a great way to combine easy science experiments for kids with a ton of Christmas fun as well! Finding the perfect experiments for kids doesn’t have to be hard!

CHRISTMAS SCIENCE STEM ACTIVITIES: CRYSTAL CANDY CANES

This is such a simple science experiment for kids to set up and enjoy with a minimum amount of supplies. We have grown crystals on quite a few things including seashells {must see!} and eggshells.

We have also used pipe cleaners to make crystal snowflakes, crystal hearts, and a crystal rainbow. Any shape you can bend a pipe cleaner into works for growing crystals. Since we are approaching Christmas here, why not try making crystal candy canes!

ALSO CHECK OUT: Crystal Gingerbread Man!

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS KIDS SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Borax {found in laundry detergent aisle}. You can also use it to make slime too.

Water

Mason jars, a wide mouth is preferable.

Pan, Spoon, Measuring Cup and Tablespoon 

Pipe Cleaners {Red, Green, White}

Ribbon {Make into Ornaments!}

THE SCIENCE BEHIND CRYSTAL CANDY CANES – FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENT FOR KIDS

You can read more on crystal growing but let’s start with the basics. What you made at the beginning of the project is called a saturated solution.

The borax has been suspended throughout the solution and remains that way while the liquid is hot. A hot liquid will hold more borax than a cold liquid!

As the solution cools, the particles settle out of the saturated mixture, and the settling particles form the crystals that you see. The impurities remain behind in the water and cube-like crystals will form if the process of cooling is slow enough.

Using a plastic cup versus the glass jar caused a difference in the formation of the crystals. As a result, the glass jar crystals are a more heavy duty, larger, and cube-shaped.

While the plastic cup crystals are smaller and more irregularly shaped. Much more fragile too. The plastic cup cooled off more quickly and they contained more impurities than those in the glass jar.

You will find that the crystal growing activities that take place in the glass jar hold up quite well to little hands and we still have some of the candy cane crystal ornaments for our tree.

HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS CRYSTAL CANDY CANES

To fill three small mason jars, I used 6 cups of water and 18 tablespoons of borax. This filled three small mason jars perfectly. I also tried out making large candy canes, but as you can imagine this took a long time as each jar needed at least 4 cups!

Your best bet is to cut your pipe cleaners in half and make small candy canes! We twisted different combinations of green, white, and red pipe cleaners together to make our candy canes.

You will use the popsicle sticks to change the pipe cleaner candy canes from. You don’t want the candy cane to touch the sides or bottom. It will stick and grow crystals!

Don’t forget to grab your FREE set of Christmas STEM challenge cards…

ALSO CHECK OUT: Growing Salt Crystal Gingerbread Men!

Follow along with the photos and directions below to make your own crystal candy canes to hang on the tree!

Boil your water, turn off heat, add borax, and stir to mix as it won’t completely dissolve. Pour into jars and place in an area where they won’t get knocked around. I was daring and just left them on the kitchen counter.

In a few hours you will see crystals beginning to grow {all about suspension science!} and by the next morning {18-24hours}, your crystal candy canes will be covered in cool looking crystals. The crystals are quite hardy!

WANT MORE CHRISTMAS CHEMISTRY: Try this simple cookie chemistry activity

Take them out and place on paper towels to dry a bit. They are neither fragile nor overly sturdy, but my son can handle them with 6-year-old hands and they hold up nicely. Grab a magnifying glass to check out your crystal candy canes!

NOTE: We have had several candy canes last till next season! I couldn’t believe it when I unwrapped them.

All our crystal candy canes finished growing crystals!

Check out the faces of the crystals! These ornaments look so pretty hanging in the window! They also make a great Christmas tree decoration. Add a piece of string and use them to decorate for the holidays.

Science is cool. Christmas science is even cooler. Explore chemistry this holiday season. STEM activities are awesome all year long.

LEARN HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN CRYSTAL CANDY CANES

For more fun this Christmas time, check out the ideas below by clicking on the pictures.

Follow along with our 25 Days of Christmas STEM Countdown Calendar activities!

More Christmas Science ideas to try..

Some of our favorite STEM tools at home! Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: I receive compensation for any items sold through this site. Our ideas are always free to enjoy and try at school or at home.