Wintry DIY: Crystal Snowflakes

Kids will be fascinated by the process of creating crystals on pipe cleaners using a simple mixture of water and borax. While the DIY is quick, you'll have to wait until the next day to see results. Once the crystals form, you can use the snowflakes as winter decorations.

What you'll need:

• Saucepan for boiling water
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cup
• Water
• Pipe cleaners
• Twine
• Mason jar with a wide mouth
• Pencil
• Borax

Instructions:

1. Bring several cups of water to a boil.

2. While the water boils, cut the pipe cleaner into small sections no larger than the width of the jar. (The pipe cleaners will be inserted into the jar later, so we just want to be sure they fit!)

3. Grab two pipe cleaners, then twist them together in the center. Repeat, twisting the pipe cleaners into a snowflake shape. You can use as many pipe cleaners as you'd like as long as the snowflake fits inside the jar.

4. Cut a piece of twine that's about 5" long, then tie the twine into a loop. Twist one of the pipe cleaners around the loop to secure it.

5. Prep the borax mixture: For each cup of boiling water, add three tablespoons of borax to the mixture. If it's easier, pour the water into a measuring cup first, then add the borax. Stir until the borax dissolves, then pour the borax into the jar.

6. Thread a pencil through the twine loop, then lower the snowflake into the water-borax mixture. Rest the pencil on top of the jar to hold it in place.

7. Allow the snowflake to soak in the borax overnight or until crystals form on the pipe cleaners.