Home » Education » Science » Science Projects

Borax Crystal Snowflakes

Ranked #3,845 in Education, #92,231 overall

Grow a Borax Crystal Snowflake

Borax crystal snowflakes are easy and quick to grow, plus they have a big advantage over real snowflakes in that they don't melt! You can grow borax crystal snowflakes overnight as a fun crystal growing project or to make sparkling decorations.

Table of Contents

  1. Borax Crystal Snowflake Materials
  2. Make Colored Snowflakes
  3. Make the Snowflake Shape
  4. Crystal Growing Kits
  5. Grow Borax Crystal Snowflakes
  6. Borax Crystal Snowflake Video Tutorial
  7. If You Don't Have Borax...
  8. Learn More about Crystals
  9. Borax Crystal Snowflake Video
  10. Borax Crystal Snowflakes Guestbook
  11. The Latest at About.com's Chemistry Site

Borax Crystal Snowflake Materials

It only take a couple of easy-to-find materials to grow your own borax crystal snowflakes. You will need:

  • borax (sold as a laundry booster and household cleaner)
  • water
  • pipe cleaner (chenille stem)
  • wide-mouth jar or glass
  • scissors

    Make Colored Snowflakes

    Use colored pipe cleaners to get colored crystal snowflakes. Borax crystals don't accept dye, but the clear crystals over the colored pipe cleaners will make the crystals appear to be colored!

    Make the Snowflake Shape


    1. Cut the pipecleaner into 3 equal lengths. It's okay if they aren't exactly the same length - you can trim them later.


    2. Twist the three pieces together at the center.


    3. Spread out the 'arms' of the snowflake and trim the ends with scissors to achieve the desired shape. I usually leave one arm intentionally long so that I can use it to hang the snowflake in the jar.

    Crystal Growing Kits

    Loading

    Grow Borax Crystal Snowflakes

    Here's what you do...


    1. Make sure the snowflake will fit inside the jar or glass you will be using to grow the crystals. Trim the pipe cleaner as needed.


    2. Suspend the snowflake from the top of the container. One easy way to do this is to bend the top arm of the snowflake around a butter knife or pencil. Once you are satisfied that the snowflake will hang inside the container, without touching the sides or bottom, remove it and set it aside.


    3. Fill the container with boiling water.


    4. Stir in borax a spoonful at a time until no more will dissolve. Three (3) tablespoons of borax per cup (8 ounces) of water works well. It's okay if there is a little undissolved borax at the bottom of the container.


    5. Hang the snowflake in the borax solution. Allow it to sit in an undisturbed location overnight.


    6. Remove the crystal-coated snowflake from the solution and hang it or set it on a paper towel to dry. Use the crystal snowflake as a decoration, if you like!

    Borax Crystal Snowflake Video Tutorial

    See how to grow borax crystal snowflakes using the same instructions featured in this lens.
    Borax Crystal Snowflake
    by futsang | video info

    30 ratings | 26,570 views
    curated content from YouTube

    If You Don't Have Borax...

    then perform a substitution. Make a solution by dissolving as much Epsom salt, sugar, or alum as you can in the hot water. All of these chemicals produce clear non-toxic crystals.

    Learn More about Crystals

    Loading

    Borax Crystal Snowflake Video

    See how it's done!

    This is a time-lapse video showing the growth of borax crystal snowflakes.
    Borax Snowflake
    by almarchuk | video info

    41 ratings | 49,126 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Borax Crystal Snowflakes Guestbook

    What do you think?

    Did you try growing your own borax crystal snowflakes? Did you enjoy it? Share your experience with others!

    • PhilRC Dec 14, 2011 @ 8:12 pm | delete
      Another delightful home crystal making lens. Fun, easy and captivating.
    • TheCountrySignShop Nov 28, 2010 @ 8:42 pm | delete
      This is one we are going to try this week. We will let you know how it turns out. Can't wait to try it. I may even try it with my Cub Scout den. Thanks for the info.
    Show All

    The Latest at About.com's Chemistry Site

    I write About.com's Chemistry website, which includes detailed instructions for many projects, including crystal-growing projects. Here's what's new.
    Loading

    by

    Azareal

    Hi. I'm Dr. Anne Helmenstine, scientist, author, and mom. I write and edit About.com's Chemistry Website, which covers general chemistry, science proj... more »

    Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

    Explore related pages

    Related Tags