Produce maple syrup
Collect sap from maple trees, filter and boil it down with adult supervision to make natural maple syrup, learning about trees and evaporation.
About this activity
Collect sap from maple trees, filter and boil it down with adult supervision to make natural maple syrup, learning about trees and evaporation.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Choose a healthy maple tree that is at least 10 inches in diameter.
- 2
Step 2
Ask an adult to check the tree and get permission to tap it.
- 3
Step 3
Measure and mark a spot 2 to 4 feet above the ground on the trunk.
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Step 4
Have an adult drill a clean hole 1.5 to 2 inches deep with a 7/16-inch bit at a slight upward angle.
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Step 5
Have an adult gently tap a food-grade spile into the hole until it fits snugly.
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Step 6
Hang a clean food-grade bucket with a lid under the spile so sap can drip in and stay clean.
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Step 7
Every day, pour the sap from the bucket into a clean container and keep the sap cool until you have enough.
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Step 8
Filter the collected sap through cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a large stainless-steel pot.
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Step 9
With an adult, bring the filtered sap to a steady rolling boil on your heat source.
- 10
Step 10
While boiling, have the adult skim any foam off the surface with a spoon.
- 11
Step 11
Keep boiling and watch the thermometer until it reaches about 219°F (104°C) or about 7°F above your local boiling point, then turn off the heat.
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Step 12
Let the syrup cool slightly and test thickness by placing a small spoonful on a cold plate to see if it coats the spoon.
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Step 13
With an adult's help, pour the hot syrup into clean jars leaving a little space at the top.
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Step 14
Seal and label the jars with the date and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
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Step 15
Share a photo and story of your finished maple syrup on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you make maple syrup with kids?
To make maple syrup, identify healthy sugar maples, drill a small hole and insert a spile to collect sap in buckets or bags. Gather sap regularly, strain through cheesecloth or a fine filter, then boil the clear sap outdoors in a large shallow pan until it reduces to a thick, amber syrup (roughly 30–50 gallons of sap per gallon of syrup depending on sugar). Cool, test for sweetness, and bottle. Always have an adult handle drilling and boiling.
What materials do I need to make maple syrup?
You’ll need spiles/taps and a small drill, clean buckets or sap bags with lids, a hook or hanger, cheesecloth or a fine filter, a large shallow boiling pan or evaporator, outdoor heat source (propane or wood fire), long-handled ladle, thermometer (optional), clean glass jars and lids, funnel, and adult supervision. Protective gloves and eye protection for adults are recommended. Keep a pot or cooler to store fresh sap until boiling.
What ages is making maple syrup suitable for?
This activity is great for children 3+ with adult supervision, but tasks vary by age. Toddlers (3–5) can watch, taste, and help collect buckets with help. Ages 6–9 can assist filtering, labeling jars, and identifying trees. Ages 10–14 can measure sap, help with taps under supervision, and learn about evaporation and ratios. Teens can safely participate in drilling and monitoring boiling with direct adult oversight. Never let young children handle drills or boiling sap.
Safety tips for making maple syrup with children
Safety first: always have adults drill taps and manage boiling outdoors to avoid indoor steam hazards. Keep kids at a safe distance from fires and hot pans; use gloves and eye protection when handling hot equipment. Strain sap to remove debris and refrigerate fresh sap; boil promptly to prevent spoilage. Use sturdy containers and stable supports for pans. Teach children fire safety and never leave a boil unattended. Have a first-aid kit and water nearby.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
If I can't find a 7/16-inch drill bit or a food-grade spile, what can we substitute?
Have an adult use the nearest-size drill bit within about 1/32 inch and a certified food-grade spout or food-grade silicone tubing fitted snugly into the 1.5–2 inch hole so sap can drip into the food-grade bucket.
Sap isn't flowing into the bucket — what should we check or fix?
Check that the adult drilled a clean 1.5–2 inch hole at a slight upward angle with the 7/16-inch bit, that the food-grade spile is tapped in snugly (not loose or clogged), and that the tree is healthy and being tapped during sap-flow conditions.
How can we adapt the activity for different age groups?
Preschoolers can help spot and mark a healthy maple 2–4 feet up and hang the clean food-grade bucket, school-age kids can measure, filter sap through cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and teens can help monitor the boil to about 219°F (104°C) and pour hot syrup into jars with an adult.
How can we enhance or personalize our homemade maple syrup project?
Experiment with syrup thickness by testing a spoonful on a cold plate, add small flavored batches (like a splash of vanilla or a cinnamon stick after boiling), and decorate and label the sealed jars with the date before sharing your photo and story on DIY.org.