*Purchase 4% polyvinyl alcohol solution or make your own: Dissolve 1/3 cup of polyvinyl alcohol powder in a quart of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring every minute. OR Stir 1/3 cup of polyvinyl alcohol powder in a quart of cold water in a pan. Heat over medium-high heat while stirring constantly. Cool before using. Add a few drops of lysol cleanser to retard mold growth.
Laundry starch/glue putty
• 2 tablespoon Elmer's school glue
• 1/2 drops food coloring (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Sta-flo laundry starch
• popcicle stirring stick
Thoroughly mix glue and coloring. Stir while adding starch. A thick lump will begin to form on the stick. Continue to stir thoroughly. Reach in and remove the putty with your fingers. Rinse well under running water. Store in a zipper bag.
Poke, pour, clap, strike! Squeeze it. Make it into a ball and throw onto a linoleum or tile floor. Pull it slowly; then quickly. Set a penny on the top to see if it sinks. Have a race across a plate! See how non-Newtonian fluids act!
Resources:
• Homemade Slime and Rubber Bones!: Awesome Science Activities, by William R. Wellnitz
• The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions, by John E. Thomas, Danita Pagel and Danita Thomas
•Super Science Concoctions: 50 Mysterious Mixtures for Fabulous Fun, by Jill Frankel Hauser, Michael Kline
Julie Snyder is a mom of six, interested in kids, pregnancy, birth, people and lives in the outlying Seattle area. Melissa Jaramillo is mom to many. She's passionate about building, encouraging, and strengthening families on this adventure known as parenthood!
Copyright © Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.
