Magic String Experiment: 5 Easy Steps to Lift Ice with Salt

Introduction

Have you ever seen ice lifted up using just a string? It may look like magic, but it’s actually science at work! In this exciting magic string experiment, children will discover how ice can melt and freeze again in a surprising way. Using simple materials found at home, the Magic String Experiment helps young learners explore states of matter while sparking curiosity, excitement, and a love for science.

Materials Required:

To perform this fun and surprising science activity, you will need the following simple materials, most of which are easily available at home:

• Ice cubes (flat ice cubes work best, but regular ones can also be used)
• A thin string or thread
• Table salt
• A plate or tray to place the ice cube on
• A tissue or cloth to wipe wet hands

This activity uses very basic materials but demonstrates an interesting scientific concept in an exciting way.

Target Age Group

This experiment is best suited for children aged 5 to 10 years.

• Ages 5–7: Children enjoy the visual surprise of lifting ice with a string and begin to understand basic ideas like melting and freezing. 
• Ages 8–10: Children can grasp the scientific explanation behind the experiment, including freezing point and state changes. 

This experiment is designed for children to help them understand changes in states of matter—how water changes from solid to liquid and back to solid—through a simple, hands-on activity. It encourages curiosity, observation, prediction, and critical thinking, making science learning fun and interactive.

 Steps:

1. First, place an ice cube on a plate or tray. Make sure the surface is flat so the ice does not slide around.
2. Gently lay a thin string or thread across the top of the ice cube. Do not press it down—just let it rest lightly on the ice.
3. Sprinkle a very small pinch of table salt on the ice cube exactly where the string touches it. Be careful not to use too much salt.
4. Now comes the most exciting part—wait patiently for about 30 to 60 seconds. This waiting time builds curiosity and anticipation, especially for children.
5. After waiting, slowly and carefully lift the string upward.

Surprise! The ice cube sticks to the string and lifts up along with it.

Why the Magic String Experiment Works?

               Ice is the solid form of water. When water becomes very cold, it changes into ice. This happens at 0°C, and this temperature is called the freezing point. When we place a string on an ice cube, the string does not stick. This is because the ice is hard, cold, and slippery.

             Now we sprinkle salt on the ice. Salt has a special property. It changes the freezing point of ice. Because of this, the ice starts to melt a little, even though the weather is still cold. So, a thin layer of water forms on the top of the ice where the salt and string are.

After a few seconds, the ice cube is still very cold. Because of the cold temperature, the water freezes again and turns back into ice. While freezing, the water holds the string inside it. That is why, when we lift the string, the ice cube comes up with it.  

Conclusion

In this activity, we learned that water can change its state.
Ice changes from a solid to a liquid when it melts, and from a liquid back to a solid when it freezes. This is called a change in the state of matter.

Ice melts at its melting point, which is 0°C, and water freezes at its freezing point, which is also 0°C.

Salt helps the ice melt a little by lowering its freezing point, and then the cold temperature makes the water freeze again.

So, the magic string experiment shows us how ice and water change states using melting and freezing, and how science can look like magic! 

Questions to Ask Kids

To encourage thinking and discussion, ask children these questions during or after the activity:

• What do you think will happen before we lift the string?
• Why do you think the ice sticks to the string after adding salt?
• What do you think the salt is doing to the ice?
• What will happen if we don’t use salt at all—will the string still lift the ice?
• Can you think of other situations where ice melts and freezes again?

Safety & Tips

1. Use very little salt to avoid excess melting.
2. Always supervise younger children, and make sure they do not taste the salt or ice.
3. Ice can be very cold, so remind children to dry their hands after touching it.
4. Perform the activity on a tray to avoid water spills.

This simple experiment is a great way to introduce children to the concept of changes in states of matter in a fun and memorable way.