Watch chemical reactions happen in your kitchen all while making a delicious candy treat! This activity will have children thinking about cause and effect and encourage curiosity in chemistry.
Activity best for children ages 5 and up (with adult supervision!)
Materials
- Wooden skewer (you can also use a clean wooden chopstick)
- Clothespin
- 1 cup water
- 2-3 cups sugar
- Tall narrow glass or jar
- Optional: Food Coloring
Questions to answer while experimenting:
- What do you think will happen when you mix these materials together?
- What happens when you mix the items together?
- Why do you think this change happened?
Directions
Step 1
Clip the skewer or chopstick onto the clothespin. The skewer or chopstick should hang upside down on the glass about 1 inch from the bottom.
Step 2
Boil all the water in a pan. *Optional: Add food coloring to the water.
Step 3
Pour 1/4 cup of the sugar into the boiling water, stirring until it dissolves.
Step 4
Gradually add more sugar to the water, stirring until it dissolves. Do this until the sugar will no longer dissolve.
Step 5
Pour the sugar solution into the jar, leaving room at the top. Be careful, it's hot!
Step 6
Place the skewer or chopstick back into the jar. Make sure it is hanging straight down the middle and is not touching any of the sides.
Step 7
Allow the jar to cool. Place in a safe place for 3-7 days.
Step 8
Make a hypothesis. What do you think will happen? Observe your jar each day!
Step 9
Enjoy the results of your experiment!
Be sure to share your yummy rock candy with us on Instagram by tagging @sdcdm320.
Do you have questions about this activity? Email Education@sdcdm.org