Christmas, along with its many special craft projects is now behind us.  Winter weather is looming large though, making it the perfect time to create crafts dealing with snow and ice.  Making Borax crystal snowflakes has to be one of the easiest and most fun craft projects we can do with our grandchildren, plus you end up with a beautiful snowflake to hang and enjoy!

So this week, after her younger siblings were in bed, my 6 year old granddaughter and I spent some special time together making some snowflakes.  They’re so simple, but turn out so pretty!

Supplies Needed for Borax Crystal Snowflakes:

• Borax
• Pipe Cleaners
• String (I chose to use fishing line so it wouldn’t be very visible.)
• Pencils
• Wide mouth jars
• Boiling water
• Food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut a pipe cleaner into 3 equal pieces.
2. Place 2 of the pieces together in the shape of an X and twist one around the other one.
3. Take the 3rd piece and twist it around the other 2 to form a six sided snowflake shape.
4. Tie the string or fishing line to the end of one of the snowflake arms.
5. Tie the other end of the string around the pencil, making sure it is the right length for the snowflake to hang  suspended in the jar.
6. Trim each arm of the snowflake to ensure it can easily be removed from the jar and will hang without touching the sides.
7. Fill the jar with boiling water.
8. Add Borax to the boiling water (3 tablespoons Borax per 1 cup boiling water).  It’s fine if there is some undissolved Borax that falls to the bottom.
9. Stir well.
10. You can now add some food coloring if you choose.
11. Lower the pipe cleaner snowflake into the jar, resting the pencil across the mouth of the jar and ensuring the snowflake is covered with water and doesn’t touch the bottom or sides.
12. Place the jar somewhere it will be undisturbed and let it sit overnight.
13. The next morning your snowflake is crystallized and ready to be removed from the liquid.
14. Allow it to dry and then enjoy your crystal snowflake by hanging it in front of a window as a suncatcher or using it in a decorative display.

Hint: Crystals will also have formed in the bottom of the jar.  To remove them simply add boiling water and stir until they begin to break up.

If you haven’t made these before, enjoy giving it a try with your favorite little people.

Click here for your printable instructions:  Borax Crystal Snowflake Instructions

Have a wonderful day!

P.S.  My granddaughter thought the jars were so pretty with the crystal in them and wanted to fill them with water; so of course we did!  They actually do look pretty sitting on my kitchen window ledge.

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