Grab a box of candy canes - Blaine and I have 3 candy cane experiments that you absolutely have to try out this Christmas!
Summer loves to send us experiments to "test" out each year. And this holiday season she sent us loads of candy cane experiments. We spent hours testing them all and now we are sharing our top three, you don't want to miss ones with you all!
These candy cane experiments will amazing, dazzle, and excite your kids. Let's dig in . . .
Most of the time, we prefer to make candy canes disappear into our stomachs, but we are willing to give a few up for this experiment!
To make some candy canes disappear, you will need:
The first thing you do is fill the first cup with cold water and the second with warm water. Then, drop the candy canes into the cups at the same time and observe what happens.
{Spoiler Alert} Both of the candy canes will dissolve in the water, but the one in the warm water will disappear much more quickly. It may even twist and change shape as it dissolves. This is because the heat speeds up the movement of the molecules in the water, causing the reaction to speed up!
Ok, so technically this experiment doesn't use candy canes, but the results create a beautiful candy cane you can use to decorate your Christmas tree for years to come!
To make your crystal candy canes, you will need:
Grab your red and white pipe cleaners and fold them in half. Then, twist and shape them into a candy cane shape. Tie a string to your candy cane and attach the string to the pencil so that the pencil to be able to rest on the edge of your jar without having your candy cane touch the sides or bottom of the jar.
Now, add hot water until it almost fills the jar, noting how many cups of water it takes to fill the jar. Then, add the Borax, one tablespoon at a time, taking care each time to stir until the Borax is dissolved. You want to add about 3 tablespoons of Borax for every cup of water you have added. Finally, hang your candy cane in the jar so that it is completely covered by the liquid. Allow the jar to sit undisturbed overnight.
{Spoiler Alert} The next morning, you should see your design covered in beautiful crystals. These were formed as the Borax came out of solution and attached itself to the pipe cleaners.
And we have saved the best one for last! Seriously, if you do only one candy cane experiment this year - this is the one to try!
To make your own peppermint bows, you will need:
Start this magical experiment by preheating the oven to 250 F. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place the candy canes on the cookie sheet. Put them in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove the candy canes and then gently twist and bend them into any shape you like. Do not touch the candy canes with your hands until they are completely cooled!
{Spoiler Alert} Candy canes are made from mostly sugar crystals that are held together, forming the candy cane shape. When you heat the candy cane up, the bonds holding the crystals in place weaken, allowing you to twist the candy into a different shape. As it cools, the bonds reform and the structure stays in its new shape.
Well, there you have it, our top three candy cane experiments! When you try one out this year, share a pic on Instagram and be sure to tag us (@sassafrassci), so we can share in the Christmas science fun!!
The beauty of fall and chemistry collide in this STEAM activity perfect for fall science! Click "Read More" to see the directions.
Balance is key to keeping us upright. Click "Read More" to get a simple STEM lesson on balance, along with directions to make a balance tower!
Did you know that petrified rock is actually a fossil? Click "Read More" to see a simple STEM lesson about petrified rock and make your own petrified sponge!
