Form Ice Crystals Inside a Cookie Cutter
If it’s cold where you live and you’re bored inside, bundle up and have some fun making these heart crystals!
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Why add dish soap to the water?
Dish soap lowers the surface tension of water, helping it cling to the cookie cutter instead of dripping off. This creates a thin film that freezes into visible crystal patterns.
Do I need a specific type of cookie cutter?
Metal cookie cutters work best because they conduct cold more efficiently and help the mixture freeze faster. Plastic cutters usually don’t work as well.
What kind of dish soap should I use?
Regular liquid dish soap is perfect. No special brand is required—just avoid soaps with heavy degreasers or added lotions, which can interfere with crystal formation.
Cookie Cutter Crystals Activity
Materials
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/4 tsp Dish soap
- Cookie cutter
Instructions
- In a shallow plate or bowl, mix the water and dish soap until all dissolved.
- Bring it outside, put on gloves then dip a cookie cutter into the mixture. Slowly lift up and watch the crystals form! It's best to do this on a cold day (Under 10 degrees F is fastest to see them form) and no wind.
- You can dip it unlimited times!
Notes
When I did mine, it was 4 degrees F and took 5-15 seconds to form and pop! If it’s warmer, you may want to consider setting it on a table and watching it through a window!Â
