Activity
Make Frost on the Window!
As a fifth grader your child will more than likely have an opportunity to grow crystals from various chemical solutions at school. Here is a fun and nifty science experiment he could perform at home. How does it work? Epsom salts crystallize to form tiny crystals that will appear as “frost” on a piece of glass.
What You Need:
- 1 cup Epsom salts (available at your local pharmacy)
- 1 ½ cup water
- One quart heat-proof container
- Liquid dishwashing detergent
- Small paintbrush
- Piece of plan glass or the window itself!
- Spoon
What You Do:
- Add 1 ½ cups of water to a heat proof container.
- Over a hot plate or stove heat the water to boiling.
- Gradually add some of the Epsom salts and stir keeping the solution boiling during the process.
- Add more Epsom salts and stir.
- Repeat until the Epsom salts will no longer dissolve and can be seen settled to the bottom of the container.
- Remove container from heat and add some liquid dishwashing detergent and stir.
- Let the mixture cool.
- “Paint” the solution on a window or glass with a paintbrush. When the solution dries, needle-like crystal fan patterns will appear, looking like frost on the window.
Haven’t had enough? Allow your child to experiment by painting the Epsom salts solution on other surfaces to see if he will produce the same affect. If using a window in the house it can be cleaned by simply washing it with soap and water.
Related learning resources
Reader's Theatre: Poems of Robert Frost
Worksheet
Reader's Theatre: Poems of Robert Frost
Have your child select one or more of these poems written by Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Robert Lee Frost. Then take turns reading aloud by swapping single lines, couplets, or stanzas.
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
The Story of Hanukkah
Worksheet
The Story of Hanukkah
This seasonal worksheet offers a window into a holiday that has been observed for millennia.
5th grade
Social studies
Worksheet
How to Make the Perfect Shot in Basketball
Science project
How to Make the Perfect Shot in Basketball
This basketball project explores the best way to make the perfect shot every time.
5th grade
Science
Science project
Make Aluminum Ornaments!
Activity
Make Aluminum Ornaments!
Using aluminum is a great way to recycle and make some shiny ornaments borrowing from this traditional Mexican art form. Here's an easy kids' activity!
4th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make Your Own Comic
Worksheet
Make Your Own Comic
Show your fifth-grader it's possible to make your own comic rather than just read them. He'll work on creative writing while he's at it!
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Make a Hummingbird Feeder
Activity
Make a Hummingbird Feeder
With a clear bottle and a few plastic straws, you can easily make a hummingbird feeder and demonstrate the effects of atmospheric pressure at the same time!
5th grade
Science
Activity
Make a Holiday Scarf
Activity
Make a Holiday Scarf
Have your child make a holiday scarf with inexpensive materials, no sewing required!
5th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Design Challenge: Make a Rube Goldberg Machine
Activity
Design Challenge: Make a Rube Goldberg Machine
In this hands-on design challenge your child will make their very own Rube Goldberg Machine.
3rd grade
Science
Activity
Make Your Own Kente Cloth
Activity
Make Your Own Kente Cloth
Celebrate Black History Month by having your child make her own version of a kente cloth after learning what the different colors on a kente cloth symbolize.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Energy Efficient Windows
Science project
Energy Efficient Windows
Kids will learn about insulation, heat conduction, and the economic benefits of energy efficient windows in this cool science fair project.
5th grade
Science project
Make Ice Cube Candles
Activity
Make Ice Cube Candles
Make some beautiful and unique candles to light your home.
5th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make Baking Soda Toothpaste
Activity
Make Baking Soda Toothpaste
Make environmentally friendly, chemical-free toothpaste using one of the most common, inexpensive pantry staples in the American kitchen: baking soda.
5th grade
Activity