This science experiment is fun to do around Halloween!
Materials Needed:
Liquid starch
White school glue
Food color
Paper cups
Disposable bowls
Spoons
Ziplock sandwich bags
Wet wipes
Set Up:
Pour liquid starch into a paper cup for each child. Pour twice the amount of liquid glue into another cup for each child. You should have one part liquid starch to two parts white glue. The more exact the amounts, the better the results.
Procedure:
Have children pour their cups of liquid starch and glue into their bowl. Add a drop of food color (I used neon green), and have them stir it with the spoon. It also helps to knead it with their hands. Mix until it becomes a workable ball. For children who are squeamish about touching it, have wet wipes within reach and reassure them that they can wipe their hands whenever they want. You may have to add a little extra glue or liquid starch to give it just the right texture. If a child has too much starch, you can also blot it dry with a paper towel. Children can take it home in a ziplock sandwich bag.
Not recommended for children who are likely to eat it.
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I am having a very hard time finding good old liquid starch – tried Target, Walmart, grocery stores…to no avail. Any suggestions? Thanks!
In the past I got it from Walmart, but last year I ordered it through School Specialty.
I found it in Walmart , it is in the laundry aisle.
Market basket always has it
I just bought Niagara liquid spray starch at Walmart and it worked just fine!
Interesting… I’ve never used spray starch. I didn’t know that would work. Thanks for sharing, Melissa.
Niagara did not work for us at all. It didn’t even begin to congeal. Stopped by Smart & Final for the STA-FLO and it worked like a charm.
Yes, it needs to be the liquid starch, not the spray starch.
How did you get it to work?
I use borax and it works amazing!
Borax is a poison. I think it would be safer to stick to the glue and starch solution.
Borax is not a poison, it is different than boric acid.
Borax is classified as non-carcinogenic and a mild skin irritant. The high alkalinity of borax is likely what causes skin irritation (just as excessive use of baking soda would cause irritation
Your statement is a portion of an article on Borax that you found online. However, there’s more info out there than just the paragraph you pasted here. Is Borax safe to wash clothes or clean with? Probably. Would I let children play around in it? Not hardly. Better safe than sorry when it comes to children. Especially young children who often put their fingers near their mouth & eyes as they play. Read more on Borax and children: http://theliberatedchild.blogspot.com/2013/08/why-borax-is-not-safe-for-kids.html