Nature Activities for Kids

In this stalactite and stalagmite experiment for kids, you can accomplish in your kitchen what it take Mother Nature years to do in a cave. All you need are a few simple household items.

What you'll need:

How to Conduct the Stalactite and Stalagmite Experiment

Step One: If you sat in a cave for thousands of years, you could watch stalactites and stalagmites form. Or you could make your own in a matter of days.

Step Two: Fill two jars with warm water. Mix in Epsom salts until no more will dissolve. Wet the string and tie a weight to each end. Drop one end of the string into each jar.

Step Three: Put a plate between the two jars, with the string hanging over the plate.

Check your "cave" at least once a day to see if stalactites and stalagmites have formed.

By the way, if you're wondering which are 'tites and which are 'mites: Stalactites have to hold on tight to stay on the ceiling of the cave. Stalagmites have to be mighty to stand up on the floor of the cave.

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