Asking 'how does your garden grow?' can have a entirely new meaning when you're asking your children about their very own crystal garden. Crystal gardens appear to be a bit magical and kids seem to be fascinated by them. Your kids may enjoy creating and designing one of their very own. Best of all, the project takes shape more quickly than you might expect. The crystals should begin to grow in less than a day, and they can be made in a variety of colors. Materials needed are a pie tin; some type of porous material such as sponge, driftwood, cork charcoal briquets or pottery pieces; non-iodized salt; liquid bluing; water ammonia; and food coloring. To begin, mix four tablespoons of non-iodized salt, four tablespoons of liquid bluing, four tablespoons of water, and one tablespoon of ammonia together. Next, spoon the mixture over the porous material. Now, put drops of different colored food coloring in various spots on the porous material. Finally, place the pie tin in a warm place. Within hours, the crystals should begin forming.
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