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Flubber!
What you need
Water
2 cups Elmer’s White Glue
Liquid Water Color (food coloring stains)
20 Mule Team Borax (available in the grocery store laundry section)
White Vinegar (for cleaning)
Glitter (optional)
What to do
- In a large container combine and mix:
- 1 ½ cups very warm water
- 2 cups Elmers white glue
- A few drops of water color and/or glitter if using clear glue
- Mix this combination thoroughly
- In a small container combine and mix
- 1 1/3 cups very warm water
- 2 level tsp 20 Mule Team Borax
- Mix this combination thoroughly
· Use your hands to mix the contents of the small container into the large container.
· Lift and turn the mixture until it is fully combined. Discard any leftover liquid.
Notes
· If kept in an airtight container, the Flubber will keep for up to 2 weeks.
· Keep the Flubber away from your carpet and hair, as it will stick! Use vinegar as a solvent.
· This recipe makes enough Flubber for six children.
· Liquid watercolor, glitter and gallon containers of glue are available through Discount School Supply. www.discountschoolsupply.com (ships quickly!).
What happens to the Flubber when...
it is stretched?
it is rolled into a ball and bounced?
it is stretched over the opening of a jar?
an object (golf ball, etc.) is rolled on it?
What else can you do with flubber?
...make it and find out!
A Closer Look:
Flubber is a polymer made by a chemical reaction. Polymers are very long chains of repeating units. When the two solutions are combined, polyvinyl acetate chains (a polymer from the white glue) are linked together in a 3-dimensional arrangement by borate ions (from the Borax) and other chemical bonds. This produces the thick, sticky polymer called Flubber.
Bonus Recipe: Microwave Playdough
What you need
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
3 tbs cream of tarter
2 tbs oil
2 cups water
Food coloring (a few drops)
Glitter (optional)
What to do
- Mix the dry ingredients into a large bowl, stir well. DO NOT ADD GLITTER YET!
- Mix the water, oil, and food coloring in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients while stirring
- Stir until you get a smooth consistency
- Cook in microwave on high for 3 minutes
- Remove the crusty playdough from around the edge of the bowl with a fork.
- Let dough cool, and knead dough for about one minute
- Return to microwave and cook for 2 minutes
- Remove the crusty playdough from around the edge of the bowl with a fork.
- Let cool, and knead dough for about one minute
- Cook until dough is no longer sticky
- Spread out on cookie sheet or tray to aid the cooling process (cooking times may vary depending upon microwave)
- Knead in the glitter and have fun!
Notes:
DO NOT PUT GLITTER IN THE MICROWAVE!
Be very careful, the dough will be extremely hot after cooking, and cooking times vary depending on the microwave.
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