• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Learn / Science / How to Grow Epsom Salt Crystals: Kids Science Experiment

     

    How to Grow Epsom Salt Crystals: Kids Science Experiment

    173 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Doing simple science experiments at home that explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) principles with the kids is a simple and easy way to capture their interest without resorting to screen time. Observing how epsom salts grow crystals in a jar not only teaches cool science, it teaches patience, something screens almost never teach!

    This science experiment will demonstrate how you can grow crystals using epsom salts on a string. We also used pipe cleaners so we could form the crystals on fun shapes.

    This post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

    Science Behind Epsom Salt Crystal Formation

    Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), is a naturally occurring mineral salt, composed of magnesium, sulfate, and oxygen.

    Epsom salt is soluble in hot water and as the water cools, the water is unable to hold onto the salt. Instead, the salt forms crystals on available surfaces, in this case a string or pipe cleaner.

    Sciencing has a nice article about how and why the crystallization happens for kids who want to learn more.

    Epsom Salt Crystal Instructions

    What you need:

    • Heat proof jar (see notes if you don't have a heat proof container)
    • String
    • Pipe cleaners
    • Water
    • Epsom salts. Alternatively you can use plain white sugar, borax or table salt. If using borax, close adult supervision is necessary.

    Step by Step Instructions:

    Fill a heat proof jar with very hot water, the hotter the better.

    Saturate the water with epsom salts. Some recipes for this project specify a 1 to 1 ratio of salt to water. However, you may have better luck, as we did, pouring in epsom salt until it no longer can be dissolved. For us, this was about a 2:1 ration epsom salt:water.

    Tie a string to one end of the pipe cleaner.

    Shape the other end of the pipe cleaner into the desired shape.

    Drop the pipe cleaner into the solution, leaving the string hanging out of the jar opening.

    Let the pipe cleaner sit in the solution overnight, preferably for 24 hours.

    Pipe cleaners in two jars of epsom salt solution
    Epsom salt crystal experiment in progress.

    The next day, check your pipe cleaners for crystals. Some should have formed by this time, if not, you may need to wait longer. We found there was some inconsistency between jars but by the end of 24 hours you should have a nice collection of epsom salt crystals sparkling on your pipe cleaner!

    MORE EASY AT HOME SCIENCE:

    • Water refraction experiement
    • Summer science camp projects
    • How to make a salt volcano

    Notes and Extension Projects

    Notes:

    Young scientists will inevitably want to keep checking the pipe cleaners before the crystals are ready. This is a great opportunity to explain the importance of patience that scientists have to observe things over long periods of time, sometimes days, months, or even years!

    MORE: How failure teaches kids to think like scientists.

    If you are worried about the heat resistance of your jar, instead of pouring the hot water directly into the jar, you can heat it almost to boiling on the stove, saturate with epsom salt, let cool and then pour into the jar.

    Extension:

    Try putting your jar in the refrigerator after you've placed the pipe cleaner in the solution. Some versions of this experiment claim that it hastens the formation of crystals!

    Different substances have different molecular structures and so will form different shapes of crystals. For a science lesson in comparison, follow the instructions using table salt, sugar or borax and compare the resulting crystals. How do the shape of the crystals differ? How quickly or slowly do they form? Think like scientists!

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « Cutest DIY Bubble Wands: Personalized and Easy to Make!
    19 Best Math Books for Preschool Learning »
    173 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. N from the Learning Ark says

      November 20, 2008 at 7:05 pm

      Thanks for sharing this, I'll try this with my son.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 19,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.