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Home >> DIY >> Make Your Own Crystals for Kids

Make Your Own Crystals for Kids

Published: Apr 24, 2017 · Modified: Sep 9, 2020 by Stefanie Fauquet · This post may contain affiliate links · 46 Comments

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Summer is supposed to be the highlight of every kid's year. I know my daughter is currently counting down the days until summer break. I, on the other hand, am secretly dreading it— apart from our annual summer vacation.

For my family, summer always starts out great. Then a few weeks in things go south. The biggest complaint from my daughter has always been that she's bored. Can you relate!?

summer brain quest

This post is brought to you by Workman Publishing. All opinions are my own.

This is where I get a little creative and try to kill two birds with one stone, giving her books to read and crafts to make that are not only fun, but help prevent "summer slide" (where most students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in math, and many also lose reading achievement, during the summer).

This year I've already commissioned her to help her cousin get ready for kindergarten with Summer Brain Quest, an exciting new extension of the beloved and #1 bestselling Brain Quest brand, from Workman Publishing.

summer brain quest books

Summer Brain Quest is notable because it offers a one-of-a-kind learning experience that delivers personalized learning for every type of kid. Personalized learning is an educational method where exercises are tailored to each child’s strengths, needs and interests.

Each book is structured like a game with a pull-out map that guides kids on a learning quest. They fill in their route on the map by earning stickers for completing workbook pages as well as pursuing outdoor activities. The map offers a choice of routes, allowing kids to customize their learning path and pursue what excites them most (extra math problems? more hands-on science?), and also encouraging them to jump around within the book to follow their curiosity.

summer brain quest book learning

I gave my daughter a set of Summer Brain Quest books to look at and she was enamored from the get-go. She went through each book for several hours just because she thought they were fun.

Obviously, she is well above each of these grade levels, but the books are interesting to other ages because they're presented in such a unique way. The original artwork is by video game artist Edison Yan, making every book feel fresh and fun. These are the most visually appealing books in the market.

summer brain quest books

Each Summer Brain Quest workbook has been created in consultation with an award-winning teacher specializing in that grade to ensure that all exercises are aligned to Common Core State Standards, Next Generation State Standards, and state social studies standards.

How to Make Your Own Crystals for Kids

how to make your own crystals for kids

Ingredients:

  • Rock Salt(AKA Ice Cream Salt)
  • White Glue
  • Food Coloring
  • Glitter (optional)

Directions:

I didn't put exact measurements because this craft project isn't an exact science. The 4oz bottle of glue makes approximately 8 half-dollar sized crystals.

  1.  Separate rock salt into small bowls - one bowl for each color (start with 1 cup)
  2. add 2-4 drops food coloring, or amount until the desired color is achieved.
  3. Slowly pour glue into each bowl, mixing gently. Take salt/glue mixture into hands and form into a ball. Place on a plate lined with paper towels to dry. Repeat for each crystal.
  4. Optional: Sprinkle glitter on each crystal.
  5. Let crystals dry overnight. The longer you let dry the better!

diy crystals ingredients

 how to make your own crystals for kids

diy salt crystals how to make your own crystals for kids

More Summer Craft Ideas

  • Edible Playdough
  • Apple Pie Playdough
  • Recycled Lava Lamp
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Comments

  1. katherine Persons

    April 24, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    Between grades 3 and 4

    Reply
  2. mami2jcn

    April 24, 2017 at 5:11 pm

    Between grades 2 & 3 would interest my daughter.

    Reply
  3. Tiff

    April 24, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    I would want the K one since my kiddo is in pre k

    Reply
  4. Lauren

    April 24, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    My daughter would like the get ready for 5th grade book.

    Reply
  5. Denise S

    April 24, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    My son needs between grades 4 and 5.

    Reply
  6. Shannon Baas

    April 24, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    the 1-2 book.

    Reply
  7. Janet W.

    April 24, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    Between grades 1st and 2nd grade is what my grandsons would be interested in.

    Reply
  8. HilLesha

    April 24, 2017 at 10:20 pm

    My son would love the workbook for the 5th and 6th grade. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  9. Ellie Wright

    April 25, 2017 at 11:22 am

    My grandson would be interested in Grades between 3-4

    Reply
  10. beth

    April 25, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    I think they would most be interested in grades 3&4.

    Reply
  11. Mary Cloud

    April 25, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    My kids would be interested in the one for Grades 5 & 6

    Reply
  12. Kristyn M.

    April 25, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Between grades 3 & 4

    Reply
  13. Bonnie

    April 25, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    I have 3 homeschoolers so the between K-1, 2-3, and 3-4 would all be perfect!

    Reply
  14. Andrea

    April 25, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    Mine would want 2nd to 3rd

    Reply
  15. Lauren U

    April 25, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    My child would like the Between Grades K and 1 book

    Reply
  16. BusyWorkingMama

    April 25, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    My daughter would love the prep for 6th grade math. She'll be in that next year.

    Reply
  17. Jenny Q.

    April 25, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    I would love the book for 1&2. This is a great way to help my son keep up with learning in the summer.

    Reply
  18. Jessica Lear

    April 26, 2017 at 11:33 am

    I could all of these books to good use...I have one in every grade from Pre-K to 5th.

    Reply
  19. Valerie Mabrey

    April 26, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    I would like the K-1 for my granddaughter.

    Reply
  20. heather

    April 26, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    The kids would like the 5&6 workbook.

    Reply
  21. Anne Marie @ CCHC

    April 27, 2017 at 7:36 am

    With rising 1st, 2nd, and 4th graders these books would not be neglected in our house!! I have a feeling that the 1st -> 2nd would be the most popular. That child is all about independent learning.

    Reply
  22. Diane Hamel

    April 30, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    I work with disadvantaged kids,,I could use all grades...

    Reply
  23. Latanya Thornhill

    May 01, 2017 at 10:13 am

    the K & 1 book

    Reply
  24. Tabathia B

    May 03, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    summer quest between grades 2-3

    Reply
  25. Lisa V.

    May 04, 2017 at 5:20 am

    She would like the Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades K & 1.

    Reply
  26. Renee Grosskreuz

    May 04, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    Between grades 5 and 6 would be the best Summer Brain Quest.

    Reply
  27. susan smoaks

    May 05, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    i would like to get the K-1 for our daughter, she would love it.

    Reply
  28. Julieh

    May 05, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    My kids would like the k-1 books.

    Reply
  29. Daniel M

    May 05, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    they would most be interested in grades 3-4

    Reply
  30. Kristi C

    May 06, 2017 at 4:26 am

    My son would like the grades 5-6.

    Reply
  31. Ed

    May 06, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    Between Grades 2 & 3

    Reply
  32. jennifer cervantes

    May 06, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    My daughter would most likely like 2nd grade or 4thgrade since I have more than one.

    Reply
  33. shawna

    May 06, 2017 at 11:24 pm

    My daughter would like 2nd & 3rd grade

    Reply
  34. Hesper Fry

    May 07, 2017 at 1:47 am

    The K-1 book would be great for my daughter.

    Reply
  35. Beth Stephens

    May 07, 2017 at 2:17 am

    The book between K-1 would be perfect for my twin boys!

    Reply
  36. Kim Keithline

    May 07, 2017 at 4:58 am

    They would be most interested in Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades 3 & 4

    Reply
  37. Lori Walker

    May 07, 2017 at 7:33 am

    The kindergarten book would be of most interest to us.

    Reply
  38. Stephanie Liske

    May 07, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    My niece would love the K&1 one!

    Reply
  39. Kathy Pease

    May 07, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    I would love the k & 1 for my grandkids

    Reply
  40. Michelle Catallo

    May 07, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Definitely between grades 2 & 3! Just ask his teachers LOL he is a handful.

    Reply
  41. amanda whitley

    May 07, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    my son would like the 1st and 2nd grade one

    Reply
  42. Seyma Shabbir

    May 07, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    My younger son would love the grade 2 and my older would love grade 4.

    Reply
  43. Billie R

    May 07, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    My niece would be excited for any of them. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  44. Amy Deeter

    May 07, 2017 at 10:34 pm

    We would love to have the 2nd-3rd one

    Reply
  45. Leah Shumack

    May 07, 2017 at 11:56 pm

    My daughter is going to be finishing up 5th grade in June. I'd love to have the 5th/6th grade books for her this summer!

    Reply
  46. Erica

    March 30, 2018 at 1:00 pm

    Hi! We tried the make your own crystal experiment and it didn’t work! We used the ingredients shown and followed the directions, but the glue seized up like slime and pulled the color away from the salt, while not sticking to the salt at all. Is there a step we are missing? We are trying a thinned down glue (just added water) to a pile of salt and that seems to be working so far, just looking for advise! Thanks!

    Reply

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Welcome to Mommy Musings™ - I'm Stefanie Fauquet and my passions are food & family travel! I regularly share easy recipes and travel tips to inspire families to create a life they love...one that's full of delicious food and incredible adventures!

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