How to Make Crystal Crosses

Aren’t these crystal crosses just beautiful?! They are a cute Easter craft that looks great hanging in the home for the holiday or anytime.

More Easter Cross goodness for you today!

Need more Easter activities? Take a look at our Easter Cross Suncatchers, LEGO Easter Tomb, and Salt Glitter Easter Egg Canvas Art. 

These Crystal Crosses turn out so beautiful. If you hang them in front of a window, they will catch the light just right and shine. Not only are they a great way to share the story of Jesus and the cross, they can be used as Christmas ornaments for your tree.

You can also use this activity as a fun science experiment for the classroom or in your homeschool.

How to Make Crystal Crosses

You don’t need much to make these crosses. Just some borax, water, and a few other supplies. Try experimenting with changing the water color with food coloring to grow different colored crystals. 

Materials/Tools:

• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup Borax detergent booster
• Pipe cleaners, 1 for each crystal
• Scissors
• Wide mouth jar or glass
• Thread or thin string
• Popsicle sticks

Directions: 

Twist one pipe cleaner into the shape of a cross. Attach a string to the top of the cross pipe cleaner so that it can hang down into the jar. 

In a medium stock pot, bring the water to a boil. Slowly pour the water into the jar. Pour slowly to allow the jar temperature to adjust so it does not crack. Add the borax powder to the water, stirring until it is completely dissolved.

Carefully drop your pipe cleaner cross into the borax solution and attach the string to a popsicle stick. You want the cross to hang in the middle of the borax solution without touching the bottom sides of the jar.

Crystals will begin forming as the mixture cools. Crystals will form on the chenille stem in as little as two hours. For best results, avoid disturbing the chenille stems for 24 hours.

Remove the pipe cleaner from the jar and allow to dry completely on a paper towel.

Use the thread to hang the crystal crosses or cut the string if desired.

Crystal Crosses

Print

Materials

• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup Borax detergent booster
• Pipe cleaners, 1 for each crystal
• Scissors
• Wide mouth jar or glass
• Thread or thin string
• Popsicle sticks

Instructions

1. Twist one pipe cleaner into the shape of a cross. Attach a string to the top of the cross pipe cleaner so that it can hang down into the jar.
2. In a medium stock pot, bring the water to a boil. Slowly pour the water into the jar. Pour slowly to allow the jar temperature to adjust so it does not crack. Add the borax powder to the water, stirring until it is completely dissolved.
3. Carefully drop your pipe cleaner cross into the borax solution and attach the string to a popsicle stick. You want the cross to hang in the middle of the borax solution without touching the bottom sides of the jar.
4. Crystals will begin forming as the mixture cools. Crystals will form on the pipe cleaner in as little as two hours. For best results, avoid disturbing the crystal crosses for 24 hours.
5. Remove the pipe cleaner from the jar and allow to dry completely on a paper towel.
6. Use the thread to hang the crystal cross or cut the string if desired.