Something fun and creative that can be done. You can even use your star as a Christmas decoration. Please note, this experiment uses borax. Do not eat borax and wash your hands after using it.
What you need:
- borax (laundry section at the supermarket)
- boiling water
- jar or large glass (large enough to fit your star)
- food dye (optional)
- stirrer or spoon
- cotton string
- pipe cleaner
- scissors
What to do:
- Twist the pipe cleaner into a star or any other shape. Alternatively, you can cut it into four or five pieces and twist them together into a star shape.
- Tie one end of the string to the tip of star.
- Add 3 tablespoons of borax to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until it is dissolved. Add a couple of drops of food dye if required.
- Pour your dissolved borax mixture into your jar or glass so it is deep enough to cover your crystal star.
- Attach the other end of the string to your stirrer.
- Lie your stirrer across the top of the jar/glass and dangle your star into the borax mixture.
- Leave it for several days.
What happens:
Crystals will start growing on your star. Borax is in the water, and as the water dissolves, the borax is left behind. The borax attaches to the star as crystals.