Pushy Putty or Flubber

Kids love experimenting with the different textures. This experiment introduces kids to a substance that is not a solid, not a liquid, but a little bit of both. There are two procedures, so choose the one that works best for you.

Continue reading "Pushy Putty or Flubber"

Procedure 1

Materials (Borax, white glue, water, 2 glass jars with lids, cup)
Note: Borax can be found with laundry detergents in most grocery stores.

Pour 4 cups of water into a large glass jar.  Add 1/4 cup Borax and stir until it is dissolved.

In the 2nd jar, mix 1 cup water and 1 cup white craft glue.  Tighten the lid and shake well until mixed.  If you want colored putty, add food coloring or paint to the water and glue mixture.

To make the putty, pour 1 cup of the Borax solution in a cup, add 1/4 of the glue solution.  Stir it with your finger.  The glue mixture suddenly thickens as soon as it comes in contact with the Borax solution.  In fact, you may need to make sure there are glue bubbles in the center of the putty.  Remove the putty from the solution and knead it to get the finished texture.

Pushy Putty can be used to make impressions from newspapers or color comics.  Store in a sealed container or plastic bag.

What Should Happen

When the borax. glue and water mix, they form a putty-like substance. It will stretch, bounce, squish and drip.

Learn more about polymers in the science topics section.

Procedure 2

Materials ( white glue, liquid starch, container with lid )
Liquid starch can be found in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores.

Mix equal parts of white glue and liquid starch and watch the goop form.  

Store in a container with lid.

Thanks to Amanda D. for sending in Recipe 2.

Warnings

• Be sure to wash your hands when you are finished
• Borax can be toxic if ingested.  Please be sure to keep it out of reach of small children and clean up any spills.
• The putty may stain fabric or carpets. Be careful.

Hint

Here's an idea from one of our visitors.

My granddaughter let some flubber dry on her skirt. I soaked the skirt in cold water overnight and then washed it. All the stuff came out.

Plastic Science (Special Deal) Now kids can explore the science of plastics. Create impressive glass like, translucent sculptures and bowls from plastics and polymers.

Notes to Parents:

1. Every parent must use their own judgment in choosing which activities are safe for their own children.  While Science Kids at Home makes every effort to provide activity ideas that are safe and fun for children it is your responsibility to choose the activities that are safe in your own home.
2. Science Kids at Home has checked the external web links on this page that we created.  We believe these links provide interesting information that is appropriate for kids.  However, the internet is a constantly changing place and these links may not work or the external web site may have changed.  We also have no control over the "Ads by Google" links, but these should be related to kids science and crafts.  You are responsible for supervising your own children.  If you ever find a link that you feel is inappropriate, please let us know.

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