try this at home
Always ask an adult to help you with these activities, especially when using an oven.
Grow your own crystals!
It’s quick and easy to grow you own salt crystals, and most people
have the ingredients at home. All you need is table salt (sodium chloride),
water and a clean, clear container.
- Stir salt into boiling hot water until no more salt will disolve
- Soak a piece of cardboard in this solution until it is soggy. Place it on a plate or pan and set it in a warm and sunny location to dry out.
- Watch as small crystals begin to grow quickly.
Try experimenting with different types of table salt: iodized salt, uniodized salt, sea salt, or salt substitutes. You can also compare the crystals that form when you use tap water, compared to distilled water.
It’s magic!
Fill a beaker with water, so it’s nearly to the brim. Add a tablespoon
of salt, and watch the water level drop. The more salt you put in, the
less water there is!
Create a masterpiece!
Salt can very effectively recreate snowflakes in a painting of a winter
scene. A sprinkle of salt in a wet wash can also create a starry sky,
or give texture to lichen-covered walls or rocks. Read more on About.com.
Sculpt salt dough figures!
Get creative and make figures out of salt dough. All you need is:
- 250g plain flour (not self-raising)
- 125g fine-grained plain salt
- 120ml cup water at room temperature
- Mix flour with salt and water in a deep bowl
- Knead for five to ten minutes until smooth and elastic
- Cover with cling wrap to keep the dough from drying out, and let sit for 30 minutes
- Make shapes by hand or with biscuit cutters
- Dry in the oven on a low temperature (maximum 100C) for about 3-4 hours
- If you like, paint.