How to Make Borax Crystals

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Follow this easy DIY tutorial for How to Make Borax Crystals with your kids! All you need are some pipe cleaners and a few other supplies.

HOW TO MAKE BORAX CRYSTALS

Making pretty and colorful borax crystals is fun to watch and easy to do! You just need a few simple supplies for this fun DIY science activity at home! Combining science and creativity is a fun way to get the kids interested in learning. While a few of the steps require adult supervision and some patience it’s a fun process to watch.

Tips for Making Borax Crystals

Make certain that the directions are followed closely. If the water isn’t hot enough, it’s not going to work. (this also means that the kids will need to be extra careful during this activity since the water has to be so hot!)
Having a wide mouth mason jar is a MUST so that the pipe cleaners aren’t touching each other or the side of the jar. They need space to grow their crystals.

Supplies Needed to Make Borax Crystals:

3 cups boiling water
3/4 cup Borax, you can find this in the laundry section of your grocery store
6 Pipe Cleaners, whatever colors your prefer
2 pieces of string
Popsicle Sticks

How to Grow Crystals Using Borax:

Bend the pipe cleaner around a cookie cutter to make a star shape, you can also do this freehand if you prefer. Twist the pipe cleaner closed at the end of the shape. Cut off any extra pipe cleaner at the end. Repeat with remaining pipe cleaners. You can also make swirls by simply wrapping your pipe cleaner around a pencil and slowly removing it

2. Tie thin ribbon or string around each star and swirl, then tie and hang them from the popsicle stick. Lower the stars into a WIDE MOUTH mason jar and rest the popsicle stick over the opening of the jar. Make sure the pipe cleaner stars aren’t touching either the sides and/or the bottom of the jar.

3. Pour boiling water into a glass measuring cup. Add the borax and stir until dissolved. (Adults only should do this part)

4. Carefully pour the hot borax mixture into the mason jar. (Adults) Fill the jar until the top of the star or swirls are covered, but no higher. (Crystals will form on the ribbon if it’s below the liquid) Leave them for 12 to 24 hours and watch the borax crystals grow! I typically wait 24 hours for the best results.

5. Carefully remove crystal-covered shapes from jars and place them on a paper towel until dry 🙂