Rock Candy Experiment

Grow shimmering sugar crystals and make candy on a stick! Gather your equipment and follow the steps to create an edible experiment.

What You'll Need

• 1 cup water

• 3 1/4 cups granulated sugar

• small pot

• mixing spoon

• 2 small (8 oz) jars or glasses

• food coloring (optional)

• 2 sticks and clips 

Make the Syrup

With the help of an adult, bring water and 3 cups of sugar to a boil. Add 5-10 drops food coloring and stir well to completely dissolve sugar. Set aside to cool for at least 10 minutes. Timing Note: Sugar crystals take several days to grow. Start now and observe each day. 

Create Your Candy

Follow the steps below to grow sugar crystals inside of your syrup.

1. "Seed" the sticks. Dip half of each stick in water, then sugar. Dry for 10 minutes.

2. With the help of an adult, carefully pour syrup into jars.

3. Use clothespin to secure a stick in the middle of each jar. Do NOT let the stick touch the bottom.

Taste & Share: Remove candy after a few days of growth. Drain and dry on a paper towel.

Cleaning Tip: Boil jars to remove excess sugar crystal growth.

Sugar Science

Saturation: Boiling water can hold more sugar than cold water. As your sugar solution cools, the water becomes supersaturated and no longer able to hold the same amount of sugar. Sugar "regrows" in a crystalline structure on the stick.

Evaporation: As time passes, water will slowly evaporate from the solution. As the water evaporates, the solution will become more saturated and sugar molecules will continue to leave the solution and collect on the stick.