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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » How to make salt crystals

    How to make salt crystals

    July 11, 2022 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    An easy way to make salt crystals is to dissolve table salt in water and leave the solution somewhere warm until the water evaporates leaving behind sparkly salt crystals.

    We also made coloured salt by adding a little food colouring.

    This activity and more salt science experiments can be found in a salt science activity sheet made as part of a collaboration with the Primary Science Teaching Trust.

    salt crystals made by evaporation

    You’ll need

    Table Salt

    500ml warm water

    Bowl or jug

    Spoon

    Plate or shallow bowl

    Food colouring – optional

    How to make salt crystals

    Put about 500ml of warm water into the jug.

    Stir in a large spoonful of salt and stir until it is all dissolved ( when you can’t see or feel the grains any more ).

    Keep stirring in salt a spoon at a time, until you reach the point where no more salt will dissolve ( we call this a saturated solution ).

    Pour a small amount of the salty mixture onto a flat bowl or plate and leave somewhere warm. Outside in the sun is ideal.

    After a few days you should see crystals appear.

    How to make coloured salt crystals

    Make as above but add a little food colouring to the saturated salt solution.

    coloured salt made as part of an evaporation activity

    Why do salt crystals form?

    When you stir salt into warm water it dissolves. It looks like it has disappeared but has actually mixed with the water to form a transparent solution.

    When the salty solution is left in a warm place ( we left ours on a windowsill ) the water evaporates leaving behind salt crystals.

    Evaporation of water happens when water gets enough energy to change state from liquid water to water vapour ( a gas ).

    Extension Tasks

    Water evaporates faster when there is a bigger surface area. This is because more water is exposed to the air. Try leaving the same volume of water in a tall container and in a shallow bowl. The water in the shallow bowl should evaporate faster than the water in the tall container.

    More Science for Kids

    Use salt to cool a drink quickly!

    Make ice cream also using the supercooling power of salt.

    I’ve also got lots of easy kitchen science ideas for you to try!

    collage of salt crystals, including coloured salt crystals as part of an easy salt science experiment for children #saltexperiments #saltscience #scienceforkids #kitchenscience

    Last Updated on July 11, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « 50 Summer Science Experiments for Kids
    How to Make Bubble Snakes »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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