5 of 5

Write now Article Tools

This is a simple home activity which will produce beautiful crystals and enthuse children with the wonders of science. Patience is required!

First you need to make some seed crystals. Boil some water and pour it into a glass so that it is a quarter full. Take some table salt and add it, a teaspoon at a time until no more will dissolve. This is called a "saturated solution". Then pour out a small amount of the hot solution onto a saucer and leave it to cool overnight.

In the morning there will be a crust of pretty crystals on the saucer. Sort through the crystals until you find one with an attractive shape. This will be your seed crystal.

Now you need another glass of saturated salt solution, so dissolve table salt in hot water until no more will dissolve. Attach the seed crystal to a piece of cotton and suspend it in the centre of the saturated salt solution from a pencil placed across the lip of the glass.

Now leave the crystal suspended like this for several days. The crystal will grow little by little. It will be necessary from time to time to change the salt solution. It may also be necessary to change the glass for a large vessel like a jug or a vase.

Good Luck!

Learn more about this author, Simon Davies.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to grow table salt crystals?
We want to hear your view. Write now!