Create stunning borax crystals at home with this easy recipe! Perfect for kids’ science projects or unique decorations. Learn step-by-step instructions and tips for success.

Skills Required: None. This is a fun activity for children but needs to be supervised by parents. Borax is not safe for ingestion.

Today I’m so excited to share a project that’s perfect for kids and adults alike: making borax crystals! This project is a unique a blend of science and creativity that promises both educational value and dazzling results.

If you’re looking for a fun way to engage the little ones, spark their curiosity, and create something beautiful, you’ve come to the right place.

Why should you be excited about making borax crystals? First off, it’s pure magic watching the crystals grow! Pipe cleaners transform into sparkling, gem-like formations right before your eyes.

This project is not only visually captivating but also an excellent way to introduce kids to basic scientific concepts. Mix Borax in hot water, let it cool, and watch crystals form. This shows how molecules create solid structures. It’s a cool process to observe!

This hands-on activity is a fantastic way to keep kids engaged and learning. It’s perfect for a rainy day at home, a fun science experiment, or a unique craft for a party. Children will enjoy bending pipe cleaners into shapes they like and seeing how their creations change overnight.

It’s also a perfect opportunity to teach kids about the scientific method. They can make guesses about how crystals will form, watch what happens, and then discuss the results.

Whether you’re making holiday ornaments, unique decorations, or just enjoying the process, there’s a sense of accomplishment in creating something so stunning from such simple materials.

For parents and teachers, this project is a win-win. It’s inexpensive, easy to set up, and doesn’t require any special equipment.

You probably already have most of the supplies at home: pipe cleaners, borax, glass jars, and a few household items. And the best part? It’s a mess-free activity. Just set up the jars, mix the solution, and let time do the work while you enjoy a break.

Are you ready? Watch as your kids’ eyes light up with wonder and excitement, and maybe even feel a bit of that childlike curiosity yourself. Happy crystal making!

Materials

2 pipe cleaners for each color(s) crystal you want
24 oz glass jar for each crystal you are making
Popsicle sticks
Twine or thread
Borax

Tools

Spoon
2 C measuring cup
Small saucepan
Scissors

Note: Because Borax is hygroscopic in nature, it can absorb moisture from the air. As your crystals sit out, their texture and appearance may change.

If you live in an arid (dry) climate, just keep the dust off of them. If you live in a more humid climate, I would store them in a sealed container. You can also add a desiccant, such as a silica gel packet.

If you’re going to keep them out all the time and want to preserve them, you can seal them with a polymer. Try a polyurethane spray from a craft store, or clear nail polish.

Get the printable how to card for this project below:

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Borax Crystals

This borax crystal recipe is a fun science experiment for kids and adults alike!

Prep Time20

Active Time24

Total Time24 20

Type: Kids Crafts

Yield: crystals

Author: Amy Anderson

Cost: $2

Equipment

Spoon
Measuring cup(s) 2 cups minimum
Saucepan
Scissors

Materials

2 pipe cleaners for each color crystal you want
24 oz Mason jar(s) or other glass jar, for each crystal you are making
Popsicle sticks
Twine or thread
3/4 cup Borax per jar

Instructions

Take two pipe cleaners together and fold them over themselves to create a (somewhat) round crystal shape. Try not to leave any openings or gaps.
Cut 6-8 inches of twine or thread. Tie twine to the pipe cleaner. In a clean and dry glass jar measure how long the twine should be suspended. The pipe cleaner should not touch the bottom of the jar.
Once the twine is measured attach the other end to a popsicle stick. Double-check that the length of the twine (or thread) is good, if it’s too long or too short adjust accordingly.
Repeat steps 1-3 for each pipe cleaner.
Set the pipe cleaner aside. In a small saucepan boil 2 cups of water per glass jar. Add 3/4 C Borax powder to the jar, then carefully add the boiling water. Stir until all the Borax is dissolved.
Carefully lower the pipe cleaner into the borax water with the popsicle stick resting on the mouth of the glass jar. Repeat with all jars and pipe cleaners.
Let the pipe cleaners sit and crystallize for at least 24 hours.
Carefully remove the crystalized pipe cleaner from the Borax solution. Lay on a paper towel to remove excess liquid. Carefully cut off the twine or thread as close to the crystal as you can.