My children love hands on activities - as I
am sure most little ones do. They love to paint, mix, and dig. But what my
children love the most are science experiments. They love watching ordinary
household stuff turn into something new and cool. Our latest experiment had to
do with mixing some stuff together and watching it change into something gooey
and fun to play with. They loved making homemade gak. They loved the elasticity
and the squishiness of it!
What you need:
3/4 cup cold water
1 bottle of liquid glue (Elmer’s works
best, but we have used an off name brand before)
Liquid food coloring
1/2 cup hot water
1 teaspoon borax
How to make it:
In one bowl mix together the cold water,
glue, and food coloring then set aside.
In a separate bowl mix together hot water and
borax until the borax is completely dissolved.
Then slowly add the glue mixture to the borax
mixture.
Mix well.
Drain excess water.
Use your hands to knead the gak until it is
no longer super sticky.
I have heard this called flubber before, but
we have always called it gak. I remember making this when I was in grade
school, so I am sure the recipe that I had written down on a note card from a
fellow mom of littles is nothing new. I am not trying to reinvent the wheel here;
I am simply sharing a fun craft to do with kids that my family has enjoyed. It
was really simple to make and led to a couple of hours of entertainment. So I
truly hope that you enjoy it as much as we have.
We used a couple bottles of glue and made
different colors of gak. You should note that once the different colors of gak
have rested together for a while they are pretty much impossible to separate
again. So if you want to keep your colors from mixing you should store
separately.
Also- This recipe calls for Borax and I have
heard many mixed views on the use of this product in crafts and such. I have
used Borax in many crafting recipes in small amounts. I watch my children carefully
whenever we do our hands-on activities and make sure that no one eats it and that
hands are washed immediately after the crafts are completed. With that being said;
I am not a chemical expert nor am I a doctor. I would assume that you would do
your own research and educate yourself on products you use as you see fit.
Have you ever made gak?
