Egg cartons
Blue paint
Glitter or glitter glue
Small shells and pebbles
Tissue paper
Foam sheets or construction paper
Plastic gems (optional)
Glue
Scissors
Step 1) Paint the entire inside of your egg carton with the blue paint. Add glitter for some extra sparkle! Let dry.
Step 2) Cut out fish, crab and seaweed shapes from your foam sheets or construction paper. Glue them to your scene and get creative! (We like putting the fish on the lid and having the seaweed in the foreground.)
Step 3) Finish off your reef scene by gluing on the shells, pebbles and gems!
Credit: theimaginationtree.com
2 pieces of cardboard (uncoated)
3 tbsp. table salt
1 ½ tbsp. ammonia (parent supervision required)
3 tbsp. Mrs. Stewart’s bluing (in the laundry section of the grocery store)
3 tbsp. water
Scissors
Pencil
Food coloring
Glass dish
Step 1) Draw coral shapes on your cardboard (this example used the back of a legal pad) using the image below as a guide. Keep the coral pieces short so that it doesn’t fall under the weight of the crystals.
Step 2) Cut out your coral pieces and then use them to trace an identical coral piece so that you have two of each. Cut them out.
Step 3) To attach the coral, cut a slit halfway up the middle of one coral piece and then cut a slit halfway down the middle of its identical piece. Slide the bottom slit piece onto the top slit piece so that it now is 3D.
Step 4) Go outside to mix your coral solution. In a glass dish mix the water, bluing, salt and ammonia.
Step 5) Place your cardboard pieces in the solution and add food coloring so it drips down the cardboard.
Step 6) Place your glass dish in a well ventilated area (away from pets!) and wait. In about 24 hours you’ll start to see some salt crystals forming.
Step 7) Let your “coral” grow for a few more days, being sure not to touch it (it’s very fragile!) When it completely covers the cardboard, compare your salt crystals to real coral, what are the similarities?
