Grow your own crystals at home · Salt, sugar and borax · The science of crystallization · Grades 3–7
Crystals form through a process called crystallization. When you dissolve a lot of a substance in hot water (creating a supersaturated solution), there's more dissolved material than the water can hold when it cools.
As the water cools and evaporates, the dissolved molecules arrange themselves into a repeating pattern — the most stable arrangement. This is a crystal! Different substances create different crystal shapes because their molecules have different structures.
This free interactive science experiment guide helps students learn scientific concepts through hands-on investigation. Science experiments teach the scientific method: asking questions, forming hypotheses, testing through experimentation, and analyzing results. These critical thinking skills apply to every area of learning.
Each experiment uses common household materials and includes step-by-step instructions, safety tips, and explanations of the science behind what you observe. Interactive elements let you explore the concepts virtually before or after doing the physical experiment.
Read through the experiment steps, then try the interactive simulation. For hands-on learning, gather the materials listed and follow the instructions with an adult. Record your observations and compare them to the scientific explanation.
Last reviewed: April 2026