Crystallized letters {101 Ways to Teach the Alphabet}

Want to wow your child with a dazzling science activity? Want to sneak some letter learning fun it in at the same time?

If so, check out the next installment of my 101 Ways to Teach the Alphabet Series where I’m sharing a super cool crystallized letters activity. Won’t your child enjoy showing off his or her own crystallized letters?

Step by step directions for making crystallized letters

Step 1: Grab some chenille stems. Bend, twist, cut, and combine the chenille stems to make a letter. You may need to assist your child with this step. Each chenille stem letter will need to be small enough to fit into a container of boiling water.

Step 2: Grab a container big enough to completely submerge your chenille stem letter. (The container must also be able to withstand boiling water. I used an empty yogurt container, but a glass jar would work best.)

Step 3: Determine how many cups of water you need to fill your container, then put that amount of water into a pot.

Step 4: Grab some string. Tie one end to your letter. Tie the other end to a pencil or craft stick (or anything long enough to set across the top of your container without falling in). Suspend your letter in the container by resting the pencil or craft stick across the top of the container while letting your chenille stem letter hang below. It is best if the chenille stem letter does not touch the bottom or sides of the container.

Note: An adult will have to handle the next several steps to make a super saturated solution of water and borax.

Step 5: Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. As the water approaches boiling temperature, add 3 tablespoons of borax for every 1 cup of water. Stir until the borax is completely dissolved into the water.

Step 6: Turn off the stove just as the water begins boiling. Pour the borax and water super saturated solution into your container.

Step 7: You will likely begin to notice crystals forming within a few hours, but for best results wait at least 24 hours before removing your crystallized letter from the container.

The crystallized Q turned out beautiful!

I struggled to get a really good photo of the crystallized X. In person, the white chenille stem covered with white crystals is gorgeous, but this combination was more difficult to photograph. Alas!

More ways to teach to the alphabet

More alphabet posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Letter hunt sensory bin
• Erasing letters with a Q-tip
• Making letters with straws and play dough
• I spy letter hunt
• Spaghetti letters
• Letter puzzles
• Montessori sandpaper letters
• Making “alphabet soup”
• Smash the puffy letters
• Mini letter hunt with a magnifying glass

You can find more ways to teach the alphabet on my Literacy Activities for Kids page and my Letter Learning Pinterest board.