Create Your Very Own Sparkly Icicles
Make sparkly icicles using salt, glue, and glitter on string. Observe crystal growth, practice measuring, and safely decorate winter displays.
About this activity
Make sparkly icicles using salt, glue, and glitter on string. Observe crystal growth, practice measuring, and safely decorate winter displays.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed and bring them to a clear table or counter to make a tidy workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Use the ruler to measure and mark three string lengths on the string for short medium and long icicles.
- 3
Step 3
Cut the string at each mark using child-safe scissors to make three separate strings.
- 4
Step 4
Tie one end of each string to the pencil or stick so the strings can hang down when the pencil is rested on a cup.
- 5
Step 5
Lay the strings flat on the tray and squeeze white glue onto each string to form a pointy icicle shape near the tied end.
- 6
Step 6
While the glue is wet sprinkle table salt generously over each glue icicle so the salt sticks.
- 7
Step 7
While the glue is still sticky sprinkle glitter or sequins over the salt to add sparkle.
- 8
Step 8
Gently shake each string so extra loose salt and glitter fall back onto the tray or paper towel.
- 9
Step 9
Leave the tray in a safe place and let the glue dry completely for several hours or overnight.
- 10
Step 10
In the small cup pour warm water and stir in table salt spoonful by spoonful until some salt no longer dissolves to make a saturated solution.
- 11
Step 11
Rest the pencil across the top of the cup so each dried icicle hangs into the saturated salt solution and leave undisturbed for about 24 hours so crystals can grow.
- 12
Step 12
Carefully lift the pencil and remove the icicles from the cup and place them on the tray to dry.
- 13
Step 13
If you want add a final tiny glue dot and a little extra glitter to any spot that needs more sparkle and let it dry.
- 14
Step 14
Take a photo of your sparkly icicles and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make sparkly icicles with salt, glue, and glitter?
To make sparkly icicles, cut lengths of string and tie one end to a pencil or clothespin for hanging. Brush a layer of white glue along the string, then sprinkle table salt so crystals stick. Tap off excess, add glitter or repeat glue-and-salt to build thickness. Hang to dry for several hours or overnight. Once fully dry, gently shake off loose salt and use the string icicles to decorate winter displays.
What materials do I need to make salt-and-glue sparkly icicles?
Materials: white school glue, table salt or Epsom salt, fine craft glitter, lengths of string or thin yarn, a pencil or clothespin to hang, a tray or newspaper to catch mess, measuring spoons or cups for practicing measurement, small cups for glue, and paper towels. Optional: clear spray sealant, biodegradable glitter, tweezers for small hands, and gloves to keep hands clean.
What ages is the sparkly icicles craft suitable for?
This craft is generally suitable for children ages 4 and up with adult supervision; kids 7 and older can work more independently. For toddlers (2–3), adapt by letting them sprinkle glitter onto dried glue on paper instead of handling string and loose salt. Avoid for children under 3 due to choking risk. Always supervise glue use, salt handling, and hanging to keep the activity safe.
What are the benefits of making sparkly icicles and how can I keep it safe?
Benefits: making sparkly icicles builds fine motor skills, introduces measurement and observation, and encourages creativity and seasonal decorating. Safety tips: use non-toxic glue and child-safe or biodegradable glitter, supervise closely to prevent ingestion of salt or glitter, cover work surfaces, and wash hands after crafting. Keep small parts away from kids under 3. For a growing-crystal twist, try a supervised saturated Epsom-salt solution experiment.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have table salt—what can I use instead for the salt coating and crystal solution?
You can substitute Epsom salt or kosher salt for table salt in both the 'sprinkle table salt generously' step and the 'pour warm water and stir in table salt' saturated-solution step, but expect different crystal shapes and dissolve rates.
My icicles didn't grow crystals after 24 hours—what might have gone wrong?
Check that each dried icicle was fully hanging into the cup (not touching the sides), that you made a truly saturated solution in the 'pour warm water and stir in table salt' step (some salt should remain undissolved), and that the cup was left completely undisturbed for about 24 hours.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger children, an adult can pre-measure and cut the strings and tie them to the pencil and assist with squeezing the white glue, while older kids can measure the three lengths themselves, experiment with adding food coloring to the glue, or try different salts when making the saturated solution.
How can we make the icicles more decorative or longer-lasting?
After removing and drying the icicles, follow the 'add a final tiny glue dot and a little extra glitter' step for touch-ups, consider threading small beads onto the string before tying to the pencil, or hang finished icicles on LED fairy lights to highlight the crystals.