Growing crystals is actually pretty easy to do at home and makes a great science and chemistry experiment for kids. This Crystal hearts Valentines Science Experiment makes a great science craft and decoration to try with kids. We love holiday themed science and STEM activities, and I think it really helps his love of science to come out!
FUN CRYSTAL HEARTS VALENTINES SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
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This crystal hearts Valentines science experiment is a set it up and forget about it kind of experiment like our crystal snowflakes! Growing crystals is definitely a classic science experiment that you must try with your kids! Or check out all the great science ideas you can try for Valentine’s Day this year.
CRYSTAL HEARTS VALENTINES SCIENCE EXPERIMENT SET UP
This is a fun to observe chemical reaction for kids! Since you are dealing with hot water, my son watched the process while I measured the solution and stirred. Borax is also a chemical powder and is best used by an adult for safety. An older child might be able to help a little more!
If you want a more hands on on type of crystal chemistry experiment, try our salt crystal hearts
CRYSTAL GROWING SUPPLIES
Popsicle sticks, string, tape
To get started with your crystal hearts, take your pipe cleaners and form them into hearts! Make sure you can get your heart in and out easily. Yes, you can push the pipe cleaner into the jar, but once it is crystalized it will be very hard to pull out!
Use the popsicle stick {pencil or spoon} to tie the string around. I used a small piece of tape to keep it in place. You can do two hearts in one jar but make sure they are small and have room! They would also look pretty if they grew together!
MAKE THE CRYSTAL GROWING SOLUTION
Boil 3 cups of water. Measure 9 tablespoons of borax powder into a mixing bowl. Add water and mix well. You may need to make several batches depending on how many candy canes you want to make. The solution is 1 cup of water to 3 tablespoons of borax powder.
The solution will appear cloudy but that’s the suspension science part of the whole activity! Read up on the science below.
These crystal hearts are so simple and easy but so pretty too! We have them hanging in our windows! Make sure to check out our 14 DAY STEM COUNTDOWN to Valentines Day.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CRYSTAL HEARTS VALENTINES SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
Crystal growing is a neat chemistry project that is a quick set up involving liquids, solids, and soluble solutions. Because there are still solid particles within the liquid mixture, if let untouched, the particles will settle to form crystals.
You are making a saturated solution with more powder than the liquid can hold. The hotter the liquid, the more saturated the solution can become. This is because the molecules in the water move farther apart allowing more of the powder to be dissolved. If the water is colder, the molecules in it will be closer together.
As the solution cools down there is all of a sudden going to be more particles in the water as the molecules move back together. Some of these particles will start to fall out of the suspended state they were once in, and the particles will start to settle on the pipe cleaners as well as the container and form crystals. Once a tiny seed crystal is started, more of the falling material bonds with it to form bigger crystals.
Crystals are a solid with flat sides and symmetrical shape and will always be that way (unless impurities get in the way). They are made up of molecules and have a perfectly arranged and repeating pattern. Some might be bigger or smaller though.
Let your crystal hearts work their magic overnight. We were all impressed by what we saw when we woke up in the morning! We had quite the pretty crystal hearts Valentine’s science experiment!
CRYSTAL HEARTS VALENTINES SCIENCE EXPERIMENT FOR KIDS!
Make sure to check out these awesome Valentine’s Day science and STEM ideas too. Click on photos.
Karen says
How much Borax {found with laundry detergent} to Water does one use to make the crystal from?
littlebins says
Please click through the recipe to Happy Hooligans to get the exact amounts. She is the original recipe holder!
jamie says
Would it work to use plastic solo cups or only glass?
littlebins says
That would be an experiment!
Hull says
Did you try different cups? I used the disposable travel coffee cups & was an epic fail but 20 glass jars is not feasible in my classroom :-/
littlebins says
Ooh I have not tried different cups. What happened when you tried the coffee cups? It would be a great experiment to add to the list. I am sorry you can’t do all twenty. I have seen it done in one of those clear plastic storage containers. You can use dowels or paint sticks to lay across the top. That way you can hang several from one stick! Hope that works!
Hull says
They only have about 4 crystals on them and I have dipped twice… boiled water in a tea kettle then added borax until disolved then transferred to cups. Storage tub is worth a try…. just disappointed that mine look NO where near as crystallized as yours. The cups were not clear.
littlebins says
That is disappointing but I have only ever seen them done with glass. Maybe glass mixing bowls if you have any might work or even ceramic baking dishes might be worth a try. I am trying to search around for an explanation, but all I can think of is that the material of the cup disrupted the suspensions process. I wonder if it might have been because the cup was insulated being a coffee cup that it didn’t settle right. Let me know what happens!
Rachel says
Borax is not available in the UK due to its toxicity do you know what could be used as a substitute?
littlebins says
Check out Fun At Home With Kids UK Alternative.
Mamie says
I would try sugar – would take a bit longer, but I remember making Rock Candy as a kid, so I think it would work. Try this “recipe”: https://sciencebob.com/make-your-own-rock-candy/
littlebins says
You definitely could try sugar! I have had difficulty making rock candy here but will keep trying. This recipe works every time!
The Little Tourist says
Very cute idea!
littlebins says
Thanks!
Mamie says
How much borax?
littlebins says
I apologize but since I found the recipe on another site, etiquette requires me to send you to her page to get the measurements. You should see a link asking you to visit Happy Hooligans. Let me know if you have trouble.
Chelsea says
What about cleanup? What do you do with the solution after? And how do you get the crystals off the glass?
littlebins says
Hi! I fill the jars with hot water. It usually breaks up easily. I throw the big chunks away and wash away the rest. I run the jars through the dishwasher but reserve them for science experiments only.
Lori says
Was thinking, perhaps the teacher looking for a way to do with the whole class could find someone with an aquarium they are not using to make them in.
dana says
To get 20 glass containers, save spaghetti sauce jars or ask for them on freecycle.org if your city/county has a site.
Amanda says
Are they toxic or unsafe to be handled by school age children after they are made? Asking for 8+ age group.
littlebins says
No they can be handled by kids. I would wash hands thoroughly and of course you don’t want them handled too much as they are somewhat fragile.