DIY Winter Growing Jar: How to Make Magical Crystal Trees at Home (2025)

Ever dreamed of growing your own glittering winter tree—right inside a jar? Well, let me tell you, it’s not just possible, it’s magical. I stumbled across this Winter Growing Jar project while looking for a boredom buster for my niece, and wow—science met sparkle in the best way! With just a few common household supplies, we created frosty crystal-covered trees overnight. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just a curious creator, this is a chilly-weather activity that blends creativity, chemistry, and pure delight. Ready to learn how to grow your own icy tree? Let’s dive in!

Materials Needed for Your Winter Growing Jar

So, full disclosure—I totally messed up the first time I tried this DIY winter crafts project. I thought I could just wing it with whatever was in the pantry (spoiler: that did not work). If you’re planning to try this crystal tree project with your kids, students, or honestly just for yourself because it’s super satisfying, let me save you from the same headache. Let’s talk supplies—specifically, what actually works.

What You’ll Really Need

• A large glass jar: Like, mason-jar-sized or bigger. I used one from leftover spaghetti sauce once—just cleaned it out real good.
• Borax powder: Not baking soda, not laundry detergent pods. Real Borax. I grabbed mine from the laundry aisle at Walmart, $5-ish for a box that’ll last forever.
• Boiling water: Don’t skimp here. It has to be very hot or the Borax won’t dissolve and your crystals won’t grow.
• Pipe cleaners: White, silver, or blue are perfect for the frosty look. Honestly, this is where the fun begins—twisting them into little trees.
• String or thread: You’ll use this to dangle the pipe-cleaner tree in the jar.
• Pencil or chopstick: Balances on the jar opening so your tree stays suspended.
• Blue food coloring: Optional, but adds that icy winter vibe.
• White glitter: Optional, again—but c’mon. Glitter. It makes everything better.

A Few Pro Tips (Learned the Hard Way)

• Don’t use plastic cups. Trust me. They can warp from hot water, and you’ll end up with a sticky mess.
• Glitter clumps if you dump too much at once. Sprinkle it after you mix the Borax, not during. Learned that after the glitter volcano of 2022.
• Label your jar with tape if you’re making multiple colors. Otherwise, good luck figuring out what’s what the next morning.

I was honestly surprised at how affordable this winter science experiment for kids turned out to be. Most of the stuff, you probably already have. The only thing I had to go buy was the Borax, and that one box has lasted me through four different projects so far.

One more thing—if you’re doing this with little ones, definitely handle the hot water part yourself. This is hands-on fun, but it’s still a Borax crystal science experiment. Safety first, sparkles second.

Wanna keep costs low and make your winter decor Pinterest-worthy? You’re in the right place.

How to Shape the Pipe-Cleaner Tree

Okay, real talk—I used to be terrible at crafting. Like, the kind of person who hot-glues their fingers together. But shaping the little tree for this crystal tree DIY is actually my favorite part now. It’s super forgiving, and kinda meditative? Plus, pipe cleaners are cheap, so if you mess up (which you will—embrace it!), you just start over.

Building the Tree (No Crafting Degree Required)

• Start with one full pipe cleaner as the “trunk.”
• Cut smaller pieces to twist around it like branches—go shorter as you go up for that classic Christmas tree shape.
• Leave about an inch at the top so you can tie your string later.
• You can get wild with the colors, but I stick to white, silver, or pale blue for that wintery vibe.

The first time I tried this, I didn’t twist the branches tight enough and they floated off in the jar. I wish I was joking. Make sure those little guys are snugly wrapped, or you’ll end up with a snowstorm instead of a tree.

Securing the Tree for Suspension

• Tie a string or thread to the top of your pipe cleaner tree.
• Loop the other end around a pencil or chopstick.
• Rest the pencil across the top of your jar so the tree dangles in the center.

Here’s a hot tip I didn’t figure out until my third attempt: your tree should not touch the sides or bottom of the jar. If it does, the crystals won’t form evenly—and that’s half the fun gone. I eyeball it now, and sometimes I even test-dangle it before pouring the solution.

This step is part of what makes this a great winter STEM craft too. It’s not just gluing popsicle sticks together—it’s structure, planning, fine motor skills. And hey, bonus points if your kid starts explaining “surface area” after doing this once. Mine did. He’s six.

So yeah, the pipe-cleaner part is simple, fun, and honestly kind of therapeutic. Give yourself permission to mess up a few. I do every time.

Mixing the Borax Crystal Solution

This part? This is where the magic happens. I’m not gonna lie—first time I tried this Borax crystal DIY, I totally messed up the mix. Used lukewarm water and barely stirred, and let’s just say… we didn’t get any sparkly trees. More like soggy pipe cleaners. Learn from me, friend.

The Crystal Ratio That Actually Works

Here’s your golden rule:
3 tablespoons of Borax per 1 cup of boiling water.

• Boil the water first. Like rolling boil hot.
• Add the Borax slowly while stirring constantly.
• Keep stirring until it looks clear. A little powder at the bottom is fine, but mostly dissolved is the goal.

I once tried using a coffee mug for mixing, thinking it’d be easier to pour. It cracked from the heat. Not ideal. Now I use a glass mixing bowl and a metal spoon—nothing fancy, just stuff that won’t explode from hot water.

Add Your Winter Vibes

• Mix in a few drops of blue food coloring for that icy look.
• Sprinkle in some white or iridescent glitter—but don’t go overboard. A little goes a long way.
• Stir again gently so the glitter spreads without clumping.

This is where the winter science experiment for kids really gets exciting. My niece was basically squealing watching the glitter swirl like a snow globe. And let me tell you, when that solution hits the jar and that tree starts soaking it up? It’s actual magic.

Extra Tips (Because I Messed Up a Lot)

• Don’t substitute Borax with baking soda or Epsom salt. Totally different result.
• If the solution’s too cloudy, microwave it briefly (in a safe container!) and stir more.
• You can mix a big batch if you’re making multiple jars—just keep that 3:1 ratio.

This part of the process teaches kids about solubility, saturation, and cooling rates—but it’s also just a dang cool way to spend a cold afternoon. Plus, once it’s all in the jar? The waiting game begins… and that’s half the thrill.

Up next: how to hang your tree just right and watch the crystals grow overnight!

Hanging the Tree and Growing the Crystals

Okay, so you’ve got your sparkly blue potion ready, your pipe-cleaner tree looks festive, and now comes the part that’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking—suspending the tree in the jar and hoping crystals actually grow. I’ve had everything from epic frosty masterpieces to total duds. But once I figured out the right setup? Game-changer.

The Hang Matters (A LOT)

• Pour your hot Borax crystal solution into the jar slowly.
• Hold your tree by the string and carefully lower it into the jar.
• Rest the pencil or chopstick across the jar’s mouth so the tree hangs in the middle.

Don’t just drop it in and walk away. I did that once, and the tree floated up like a sad little sponge. Make sure it’s tied securely and doesn’t touch the sides or the bottom. If it does, crystals will form unevenly or worse, your tree will stick to the jar.

The Hardest Part? Leaving It Alone

• Put the jar somewhere it won’t be disturbed—no wiggling, no peeking.
• Let it sit overnight (12–18 hours is the sweet spot).
• Avoid direct cold air or super warm spots—just a cool room works best.

The first time my son and I did this, we checked it every 10 minutes. Don’t do that. The more it’s bumped or jostled, the weaker the crystal growth will be. It’s like baking bread—once you set it up right, you gotta just let it do its thing.

And the best part? Waking up and finding your tree totally transformed. I’ll never forget the look on my daughter’s face the first time she saw hers. “It looks like Elsa made it!”—her words. And yeah, it totally did.

What’s Actually Happening

This isn’t just arts and crafts—it’s science! As the water cools, the Borax can’t stay dissolved, so it starts to cling to the pipe cleaner in the form of those gorgeous crystals. It’s a textbook case of saturation and precipitation, and it never gets old.

So if you want those sparkles to really pop, patience is key. Set it up right, step back, and let science do its frosty thing.

Revealing and Displaying Your Crystal Tree

Morning after we made our first Winter Growing Jar, my son sprinted into the kitchen like it was Christmas. We tiptoed to the jar, and there it was—our pipe-cleaner tree had turned into this glistening, frosted beauty. It looked like something out of a snow queen’s forest. This is the part that makes all the setup totally worth it.

The Big Reveal (Be Gentle!)

• Lift the pencil or chopstick slowly and pull out the tree.
• Let it drip over the jar for a few seconds.
• Place it gently on a paper towel to dry.

Be careful—Borax crystals are surprisingly fragile. My first one lost a branch because I tapped it against the jar rim. Ugh, heartbreaking. Now I always hold it steady and let the drips fall before moving it.

Optional: Extra Sparkle

• While it’s still a little damp, you can sprinkle more glitter for extra shimmer.
• Want a snowy look? A quick dusting of baking soda adds that frosty finish.

We even experimented once with a light spray of clear craft sealant (outside, because fumes). It helped the crystals last longer and kept them from flaking off when we moved the tree later.

Showing It Off (Because You’ll Want To)

• Hang it in a window where the sunlight hits—the crystals light up like diamonds.
• Use it as a centerpiece in a bowl of pinecones or fake snow.
• Add a loop of thread and turn it into a holiday ornament!

This is one of those DIY winter crafts for kids that turns into something you actually want to keep. I’ve saved a few of our best ones in little display boxes. The memories—and sparkles—just last.

I even had a neighbor ask where I bought it. I laughed and told her, “We grew it!” The look on her face? Priceless.

So once it’s dry and safe to handle, show it off. Post a pic. Tag it. Pin it. These crystal tree decorations are seriously showstoppers—and hey, they’re science, too.

And that’s a wrap! You’ve just turned a few simple materials into a dazzling winter masterpiece—and learned some real science along the way. Whether you’re a parent looking for an unforgettable winter science experiment for kids, a teacher planning a classroom craft, or just someone who loves a little sparkle with their snow, this Winter Growing Jar project is an absolute win.

From shaping your frosty tree to watching those Borax crystals grow overnight, every step mixes creativity and chemistry. Plus, it costs next to nothing and leaves you with a magical keepsake that’s part decoration, part science trophy.

So go ahead—gather your supplies, boil some water, and let the magic happen. And when your glittering tree is done?

✨ Snap a pic and share it on Pinterest!
Your creation might just inspire someone else to give it a try.