Learn how to make Giant Crystal Snowflakes that won’t melt away if you hang them up as a window decoration. This is a great activity if you’re looking for Winter science experiments to do with your kids. All you need to make your own snowflakes are a few simple ingredients and a bit of time.
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More Winter STEM Activities to try
Make this Winter season amazing for your younger kids by trying a STEM project or two. Kids will have so much fun while they develop their science skills with these easy ideas.
- Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment
- Penguin Math Puzzles
- Building Marshmallow Snowflakes
- Salt and Ice Experiment
For more ideas, take a look at these 15 Winter STEM Activities for Kids.
Materials needed
- Laminating Sheet
- Laminator
- Free Printable Snowflakes
- Hot Glue Gun
- 2 Tbsp of hot water
- 2 Tbsp of Epsom Salt
How to Make Giant Crystal Snowflakes
Watch the video tutorial or read the easy step-by-step instructions to see how to make giant salt crystal snowflakes.
This STEM project is a fun twist on the classic pipe cleaner snowflake activity. If you are doing this activity with an entire class, then I recommend sticking with the classic snowflake activity. However if you are doing this at home with just a few children, then make the giant snowflakes instead. It’s a great way to spend time together as a family and you’ll love hanging your beautiful creations on the window.
Make your mold
1. Download and print off your free copy of these Snowflake templates from The Simple Mom Project.
I used the large snowflakes but Simple Mom Project also has smaller ones if you would prefer to have a different size.
2. Laminate a laminating sheet without anything inside it and place it over the paper snowflakes template.
Do not laminate the snowflake template inside the laminating sheet. You want to ensure they are separate because you need to keep the laminating sheet clear.
3. Use your hot glue gun to trace the outline of the snowflake shapes onto the laminating sheet.
Don’t be stingy with the glue. The glue is going to hold the crystal solution in place. The more glue you use the higher and more sturdy the mold will be. Thin areas of glue are more likely to let the solution spill all over the place.
Use your best judgment as to whether or not this step requires an adult. Older kids should be able to use a hot glue gun safely, however younger children will need help.
4. When the glue is set, cut out your snowflake.
This is optional, but I thought it looked nicer to have a smaller edge around my snowflake than an entire A4 page.
Make the Crystal Solution
5. In a separate bowl, mix equal parts hot water and Epsom salt. Mix until the salt is fully dissolved.
It is important to ensure that the water is hot. If you use warm or cold water, then the snowflake crystals won’t form and your experiment will fail. If you are doing this crystal science experiment with young children, then an adult will need to do this step for them.
Fill your mold
6. Place your snowflake mold onto a chopping board.
I found that having the chopping board underneath it made the design so much easier to transfer when we were finished.
7. Use a pipette to place the crystal solution into your snowflake mold.
You can also pour the solution into the mold or use a paintbrush to transfer the salt water. Whatever works for you and your kids is best.
If you want to make colorful snowflakes, you can also add some food coloring into the crystal solution. It works beautifully, however, I found that after a couple of weeks in the sun the color faded out of our blue snowflake.
Let it set
8. When you have filled your mold, place the snowflake into the fridge and leave it to cool overnight. The next day you will see beautiful crystals have formed.
There will be some excess liquid left, so make sure to drain it off before you hang it up on your window. You also don’t need to worry if some of the solution spills over the side of your mold while you’re transferring it into the fridge. It’s easy to just wipe it off with paper towels after the crystals have set.
9. Finally, all you have to do is decide which window to hang up your design.
What You’re Learning
The simple science behind the salt crystals snowflake experiment: You’re creating a supersaturated solution. Basically, you are adding salt to the point where no more salt can possibly dissolve.
More salt dissolves in hot water than it can in cold water. So when you refrigerate the solution and the water cools, some of the salt precipitates (becomes solid). This solid salt is what creates the crystals inside your crystal snowflake ornaments.
Are you going to show your kids how to grow Giant Crystal Snowflakes?
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