The Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit is a popular educational toy that allows children to grow their own colorful crystals. This kit is designed to provide a fun and interactive way for children to learn about the science behind crystal formation. Inside the kit, children will find all the necessary materials and instructions to grow their own crystals. This includes a packet of magic rocks, which are actually a type of mineral called calcium carbonate. The rocks are completely safe and non-toxic, making them suitable for children of all ages. The process of growing the crystals is simple and easy to follow.
With Easter just a couple of days away, why not add some of our fine pecan candies and other Stuckey’s favorites to your Easter basket this year? Who wouldn’t want to wake up Easter morning to find that the Easter Bunny left them with a basket full of our world famous pecan log rolls and pecan divinity? Maybe if you’ve been especially good, he’ll leave you with some of our branded Stuckey’s t-shirts, caps and mugs, because Peter Cottontail knows that Stuckey’s merchandise always makes the perfect gift for Easter, birthdays, and well, just about every other day of the year, too!
Who wouldn t want to wake up Easter morning to find that the Easter Bunny left them with a basket full of our world famous pecan log rolls and pecan divinity. This starts to stretch the membrane like a balloon, which, also like a balloon eventually bursts and releases this metal-rich fluid making these colorful mini stalagmites as a result.
The process of growing the crystals is simple and easy to follow. Children begin by adding the magic rocks to a container of water. As they dissolve, the minerals in the rocks start to form small crystals.
Backseat Toys: Magic Rocks
Ah the ‘70s…the Decade of Rock! And we’re not just talking about Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and all of those other great artist you listen to on your local classic rock station. Besides the music, there’s the Pet Rock that made Gary Dahl a millionaire when he duped America into buying the smooth stones he collected from Mexico’s Rosarito Beach and sold them as household pets for five dollars a pop (about $21.50 in 2020 money).
And who can forget Pop Rocks – that fireworks-in-your-mouth candy that may or may not have killed Mikey from the Life cereal commercial after he put a whole packet of the stuff in his mouth and washed it all down by chugging a cola, thereby causing his stomach to explode? (Relax. Mikey is very much alive and well today and works as a very successful advertising sales rep.)
Then there were Magic Rocks – a scientific kit that let you grow your own rocks that looked like colorful underwater stalagmites right on your dining room table. In fact, we recently heard from someone who remembers buying his first Magic Rocks at a Virginia Stuckey’s on the way back from Luray Caverns. And though it’s technically not a backseat toy, he remembers sitting in the backseat staring at its box for the three-hour drive back to Delaware, thinking of all the great things he could do with his box of Magic Rocks.
He would dig a hole in the backyard and grow a whole swimming pool-sized garden of magic rocks. Like Luray, he would charge people to walk through his backyard as they grew and grew. Later, he would add Sea Monkeys and make them put on a show like those mermaids he once saw down in Florida. Of course, none of those plans came into fruition. He was 10-years old with a great imagination. But, he says, those Magic Rocks sure looked pretty cool on his dining room table.
A (Very) Brief History of Magic Rocks
Nobody is really sure where and when Magic Rocks got their start. The science that explains them was known over 350 years ago, but they really didn’t come into use as a “toy” until 1940. And even then their history is a little sketchy, so we’re going to present you with the two stories we could find about their invention.
The first story is that they were invented by the Inglesbee brothers (James and Arthur) back in 1940s America.
The second story is that James and Arthur saw a demonstration of the science behind the toy and decided to develop their own version. It came out in 1945 and was called Magic Isle Undersea Garden, though we’re assuming one of the brothers went up to the other one who came up with that name and said something like, “C’mon, man! That’s, like, a lot of words to describe a bunch of magic rocks. Just sayin’, dude.” So, they changed the name shortly thereafter to Magic Rocks.
For the next 60 years they continued to produce their Magic Rocks in Sheridan, Wyoming, selling the company in 2005. They are now made in China where they are called 资本主义幻想玩具洞穴被称为科学魔术. (Just kidding. They’re called 魔术岩 just like they are in America.)
How to Make the Magic Happen
Magic Rocks come with a small packet of multi-colored rocks and a mysterious “Magic Solution”. They are often sold in their own Magic Rocks kit that comes with a plastic aquarium and other accessories like a scuba diver or a shark. So, you take the rocks and scatter them about on the bottom of the aquarium. Then you pour magic solution into the aquarium and wait. And wait. And wait. You brush your teeth. Put on your pajamas. Sleep. Wake up. Eat Breakfast. And you wait some more.
It’s totally worth the wait, however, as 24 hours later you’ve seen you’ve grown these magical colored crystal towers that really do make it look like a Magic Isle Undersea Garden. Once you’re satisfied with how it looks, you carefully pour out your magic solution, replacing it with water. With proper maintenance (i.e., changing the water once in awhile) you’re Magic Rock garden should last pretty much forever.
The Magic Behind the Rocks
Magic Rocks isn’t really magic, but science. However, since nobody we know would ever buy a toy called “Science Rocks” we’ll stick to telling you how the “magic” works.
Magic Rocks are a great example of what happens when soluble metal salt crystals are placed in a magic solution of sodium silicate dissolved in water. (Wait. So the magical solution isn’t penguin tears?)
However, don’t think that you’ve solved the greenhouse effect just yet, Einstein. Even scientists don’t quite understand all of the how’s and why’s of what makes Magic Rocks work.
Nevertheless, they do know that when the dissolved metal salts react with the sodium silicate solution, a sort of metal gel forms around the salt crystal, acting as sort of a permeable membrane because there are more salts than water inside the membrane, water is pulled in to the membrane through a process known as osmosis. This starts to stretch the membrane like a balloon, which, also like a balloon eventually bursts and releases this metal-rich fluid making these colorful mini stalagmites as a result.
It’s not all child’s play though as the process that causes Magic Rocks to work their magic is being studied by scientists to be better able to distinguish biological structures, including fossils, from non-biological structures on the planet Mars.
The Magic of Stuckey’s
Back here on Earth, however, you can still find Magic Rocks at some of our Stuckey’s locations, so look for them the next time you stop in. While you’re there why not also pick up some of our magically delicious and world famous Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls? Don’t forget to get a few for the folks back home, too, and watch how fast they disappear!
With Easter just a couple of days away, why not add some of our fine pecan candies and other Stuckey’s favorites to your Easter basket this year? Who wouldn’t want to wake up Easter morning to find that the Easter Bunny left them with a basket full of our world famous pecan log rolls and pecan divinity? Maybe if you’ve been especially good, he’ll leave you with some of our branded Stuckey’s t-shirts, caps and mugs, because Peter Cottontail knows that Stuckey’s merchandise always makes the perfect gift for Easter, birthdays, and well, just about every other day of the year, too!
And if you can’t come to Stuckey’s, then let Stuckey’s come to you. Visit us at stuckeys.com for more information on how you can have Stuckey’s delivered right to your front door and enjoy all of that pecan-y goodness in the comfort of your own home!
Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!
Whether your next road trip is by car or by rail, it’s not really a road trip without taking Stuckey’s along. From our world famous Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls to our mouthwatering Hunkey Dorey, Stuckey’s has all the road trips snacks you’ll need to get you where you’re going.
For all of the pecany good treats and cool merch you’ll need for your next big road adventure, browse our online store now!
Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!
After a few hours, the crystals begin to grow and take shape. The kit also includes a display case for children to showcase their finished crystals. This allows them to proudly show off their creations to friends and family. The vibrant colors of the crystals, ranging from red and blue to purple and green, make for an impressive display. One of the key benefits of the Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit is its educational value. By growing their own crystals, children are able to learn about the scientific principles behind crystal formation. They gain hands-on experience with the process and develop an understanding of geology and chemistry. Additionally, this kit encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Children will need to follow the instructions carefully and make observations about the changes happening to the rocks. They will also learn about patience and perseverance, as the crystals take time to grow. Overall, the Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit provides an engaging and educational experience for children. It allows them to explore the world of science and creativity while having fun. With its vibrant colors and easy-to-follow instructions, this kit is sure to captivate the imaginations of young scientists everywhere..
Reviews for "The Magic of Smithsonian Rocks: A Journey into the Unknown"
1. Jessica - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Smithsoniqn magic rocks kit. The rocks did not turn out as colorful or shiny as they were advertised. The instructions were also very confusing and poorly written, making it difficult to understand the process. Overall, the kit was a waste of money and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for the Smithsoniqn magic rocks kit, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The rocks did grow, but they lacked the vibrant colors that were shown in the pictures. Additionally, the kit did not include enough supplies to create a substantial amount of magic rocks, making it feel very limiting. It was a fun concept, but the execution was lacking.
3. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - I was highly disappointed with the Smithsoniqn magic rocks kit. The rocks did not grow as much as I expected and the colors were dull. The instructions were also poorly explained, leaving me confused and frustrated. I would not recommend this kit to anyone looking for a fun and satisfying science experiment.
4. David - 2 out of 5 stars - The Smithsoniqn magic rocks kit was a letdown for me. The rocks grew, but they did not have the shiny and sparkly appearance that I was hoping for. The kit was also quite messy to use, as it required a lot of water and the rocks were difficult to handle. I wouldn't purchase this kit again, as I didn't get the desired results and it was more trouble than it was worth.
5. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - I was extremely dissatisfied with the Smithsoniqn magic rocks kit. The rocks did not grow at all, even though I followed the instructions carefully. The colors were bland and uninspiring, and overall, it was a waste of my time and money. I would advise others to look for a different kit if they want an enjoyable and successful experience with growing their own rocks.