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:

Did you know you can also grow salt crystals if you don’t want to use borax? Take a look at these beautiful salt crystal snowflakes, but you can make any shape including candy canes.

• 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 

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 from 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 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!

We have you covered…

—>>>  FREE Recipe Cards for Growing Crystals

STEP 1: MAKE PIPE CLEANER CANDY CANES

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! 

ALSO CHECK OUT: Growing Salt Crystal Gingerbread Men!

STEP 2:  MAKE THE BORAX SOLUTION

Boil your water, turn off the 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, but if you have curious kids, you will want to move these to a quiet location.

STEP 3: WAIT PATIENTLY

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

STEP 4: LET THE CRYSTALS DRY

Take them out and place them 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!

UPDATE: We have had several candy canes last till next season! I couldn’t believe it when I unwrapped them. 2019, we have had these for a couple of years now!

 

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.

More Science Christmas Ornaments

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

More Christmas Science ideas to try..

Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges? 

We have you covered…

—>>>  FREE STEM Activities For Christmas