Rock Candy Crystal Sticks
A sugar solution grows edible rock candy crystals on a stick over about a week of daily checking.
Thinking
7–12 years
15–25 min
Calm
Some mess
At home
What you need
- Sugar
- Water (an adult boils it)
- A wooden skewer or stick
- A clothes peg
- A tall glass or jar
- Food colouring (optional)
Setup
- An adult heats water and dissolves in sugar until no more will dissolve, then lets it cool slightly
- Dip the stick in water then roll it in sugar and let it dry, to give crystals something to grow onto
- Suspend the stick in the jar with a clothes peg, not touching the sides, and cover loosely
Play prompts
- How much has grown since yesterday?
- What shape are the crystals forming into?
- Do you think a different sugar amount would grow faster or slower crystals?
Ways to change it up
- Grow two sticks with different food colours side by side
- Compare against the borax crystal method for a faster, non-edible version
Safety notes
- Boiling sugar syrup must be handled entirely by an adult
- Let the jar cool fully before children handle it
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