by JoAnne Windsinger

Created on: October 10, 2010

Now is the perfect time to make borax snowflakes for your winter decorating. It is an inexpensive project, fun and easy for kids to do and they will enjoy watching the crystals grow on the flake.

Supplies needed for each snowflake:

A white pipe cleaner 
A pint size canning jar or peanut butter jar.
Boiling water (An adult should pour or closely supervise older children).

A pencil 
Borax laundry booster (Boraxo will not work for this project.)
String or fishing wire
Blue food color (optional)

Instructions:

Cut the pipe cleaner into three equal parts.  Twist the pieces together in the center. 

Spread the ends into a six-sided star pattern.  Attach some string around the outer edges of the flake, if desired, to produce a snowflake shape.

Tie the string or fishing line to one end of the flake. Attach the other end to a pencil to hold it.  Put in the jar to make sure it fits without touching the sides of the jar. Remove.   Trim any end that is too long.

Fill the jar with boiling water.  Add three tablespoons of borax per cup of water and stir until absorbed.  Some residue remains on the bottom of the jar. Now is the time to stir in blue food coloring, if you want.  

Suspend the pipe cleaner flake in the jar.  Place the jar where everyone can see it but do not disturb.  Watch in fascination as crystals adhere and produce a long lasting shimmering snowflake.  It takes around 24 hours. Remove from the jar and hang to dry. 

Make as many as you need!  Keep away from small children and pets that may eat them because they look so delicious.

How does this work?

Borax is a crystal, which means it has flat sides with the molecules arranged in a repeating pattern. Other examples of crystals include sugar and salt.

Hot water expands, allowing more of the borax to dissolve.  When the borax stops dissolving, the solution is saturated.

As the water cools, the water molecules grow closer together.  This leaves less room for the crystals and they start piling up on the snowflake form. Sparkly results ensue.

Experiment

Try this with other shapes such as hearts, trees, or flowers.  Experiment with different colors and materials.  Any materials should be fuzzy so the crystals cling to them easily. 

Small price for fun and learning

For the price of a container of borax laundry booster and a package of pipe cleaners, you can entertain the kids and produce a blizzard of beautiful ornaments for your decorating pleasure.

Internet Sources:

How to make borax snowflakes.
What makes borax snowflakes work?
Science of borax crystals.

 

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