CRAFT RECIPES COLLECTED THROUGH EMAILS

OOBLECK I

Mix:
4 boxes of cornstarch
6 3/4 cups of water
15 drops of food coloring

Let stand. Stir with hands 15 minutes before needed for class. Cover work area with newspaper.
Do NOT pour or dispose of in drains.

OOBLECK II

Measure 1 1/2 cups of cornstarch and put in a pie pan or container. If you want a color of Oobleck add the coloring to the water first. Then gradually add approximately 1/2 cup of water to the cornstarch. Stir well (this will take some time). Add small amounts of more water or cornstarch until you get a mixture, which 'tears' when you quickly scrape your finger through it AND THEN 'melts' back together again. Oobleck is often referred to as a 'non-Newtonian' substance because it does not behave as Newton's Third Law of Motion states; for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Applying this principle, you would expect Oobleck to 'splash' when you 'smack' it with your hand. (Smacking is the action, splashing is the reaction.) However, when you try this out. Oobleck does not splash; in fact, it becomes a solid substance for a few moments. Why?

Scientists explain this as follows. Uncooked cornstarch particles are structured in both crystalline and non-crystalline arrangements. When slowly mixed with water, the non-crystalline structures of cornstarch absorb most of the water. When you smack or stir it rapidly, you increase the temperature and pressure on the mixture, which causes more non-crystalline structures to form. These new non-crystalline structures absorb more water and the mixture becomes thicker: hence the appearance of a solid. When you discontinue the pressure, the number of non-crystalline structures decrease and water is released, creating the 'soupy' mixture.

GLUEP OR FLUBBER

Spread newspaper down on a flat surface.

In a large container, mix:
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 cups white glue
2-4 drops of food coloring

In a small container, mix:
1 1/3 cups warm water
3 tsp. Borax powder
Stir until dissolved

Pour the contents of the smaller container into the larger container a little at a time constantly stirring. Do not stop stirring and do not pour the entire small container in at once, do it a little at a time. Gently lift and turn the mixture in the large container until it forms. It will hold its shape as long as it is manipulated, but if left alone, it will loose its consistency. It will also pick up newsprint like silly putty and bounce.

GLUEP

It has the properties of both a solid and a liquid. Here is the recipe:
per child:
1 TBS Elmer's Glue
1 TBS Water
2 TSP Borax solution--60 ml borax + 1 L water
measuring spoons
plastic cups
spoon or coffee stirrers
food coloring (optional)

Directions:
Several hours before hand, mix borax solution of 60 ml borax (1/4 cup) to 1 liter water; completely dissolve borax and set aside. Mix borax solutions, water, food coloring and glue, stirring constantly until gluep takes form. Remove from cup and work in palm. Try using as silly putty.

Adaptations:
Use model magic on a chopstick to stir
Use dosage cups or droppers for measuring
Mount cups in muffin tin to prevent spillage
(place sticky tac on the bottom of the cup)
Use rubber shelf liner to hold items in place.

Note: This is not edible!

SLIME

Borax Solution
1/2 tsp borax (2 ml)
1/2 cup water (125 ml)
Mix thoroughly

Mix 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) contact wetting solution (containing polyvinyl alcohol -generic brands work well) with tsp. (10 ml) of the borax solution. A film canister works great for this.

Pour the solution in your hand. It is endothermic!
This can also be poured out on a metal jar lid to make a plastic film.

FLUBBER

Borate solution:
2/3 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoon powdered Borax
3 drops food coloring

Mix together in a 1 cup measuring cup using a
wooden spoon Glue Solution:
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup white school glue

Mix together in a mixing bowl using a wooden spoon. Pour the borate solution into the bowl with glue solution. Use your hands to gently lift and turn the mixture until only one tablespoon of liquid is left. Flubber will be sticky for a moment or two. After the excess liquid has dripped off, Flubber is ready.

Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

When you are through, discard in a waste can.

DO NOT try to wash it down the sink!

If it dries on carpet or clothing, cover it with a cloth soaked in vinegar to de-gel it, then wash the area with detergent and water.

GLARCH

½ cup Elmer’s School Glue

¼ cup Sta-Flo Liquid Starch

Measure 1/2-cup liquid white school glue into bowl. I get the best results with Elmer's School Glue. Measure 1/4 cup Sta Flo liquid starch into the same bowl.

Mix together with a wooden spoon.
After the substance becomes too thick to use the spoon, continue mixing with your hands. This works quicker with warm hands. Glarch may be stored in a plastic bag. Wash all supplies.

GUAR GUM SLIME

Put 1/3-cup warm water into a paper cup. Use a stirring stick and add ¼ teaspoon guar gum into the water. Stir until mixed and the guar gum is dissolved.

Optional: add 2-5 drops of food color.
Mix thoroughly. While stirring, add about 2 tablespoons 4% borax solution to the guar gum mixture.

Once the mixture has gelled, remove the Slime from the cup and knead it in your hands.

Place the Slime in a zipper-type plastic bag to prevent it from drying out. A few drops of Lysol can be added to the Slime to minimize the formation of mold and extend the lifetime of the Slime.

You can get guar gum from Flinn Scientific.

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL SLIME

Put 2 tablespoons 4% polyvinyl alcohol solution into a paper cup. Add 2-3drops of food color. Mix

Pour in 4% borax solution into the cup of polyvinyl alcohol solution. Stir constantly while the borax solution is being added.

Once the gel has formed, remove it from the cup and knead it in your hands. Place the Slime in a zipper-type plastic bag to prevent it from drying out. A few drops of Lysol can be added to the Slime to minimize the formation of mold and extend the lifetime of the Slime.

SLIME OLYMPICS

Experiment with each of the Slimes by squeezing it; forming it into a ball and throwing it onto a tile or linoleum floor; by pulling it gently and then quickly; and by pressing the putty on top of your name written with a water-soluble, felt-tip marker.

Note: Differences: The Guar Gum Slime is less viscous (more runny) and can be stretched further before breaking than the Polyvinyl Alcohol Slime.

Similarities: Both slimes are clear and colorless (if food color is not added), can be molded into different shapes, will flow from a funnel over a period of time, will bounce (to a certain degree), and will become flat if left sitting on a flat surface.

LOTION PLAYDOUGH

1 cup flour
1T vegetable oil
2T hand lotion
1/2cup salt
2 t. cream of tartar
1 c water
food coloring

FUN DOUGH

1-cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cup baking soda
food coloring
water
Add water to dry ingredients to desired texture and consistency. Color with food coloring.

COLORED PASTA

1 large clear plastic bag

3 drops of food coloring

3 tablespoons alcohol

2 cups pasta

Put all ingredients in plastic bag and shake until pasta is colored evenly. Spread on paper towels or newspaper to dry. Store in zip-lock bags. Maybe do several batches in different colors and different shapes. Good for sorting by attributes and for math.

MAGIC COPPER CLEANER

1 cup white vinegar

¼ cup table salt

bowl

spoon

old copper pennies

Pour vinegar into bowl. Add salt. Stir until clear. Add tarnished item. Stir gently. Pieces will change before your eyes.

GIANT BUBBLE LIQUID

½ cup Joy or Dawn dish detergent

5c Water (distilled is best)

2 tb Glycerin (available from Drug Store)

Mix water and detergent. Add Glycerin. Try various shaped bubble wands.

CRYSTAL GARDEN

6 tb salt

6 tb liquid bluing

6 tb water

1 tb ammonia

Combine above. Pour over small pieces of rock or charcoal, in shallow glass or china bowl. (Disposable pie pan works too). Drop food coloring on top if desired. Crystals will begin to grow soon. (Place a tray or board under the dish, as crystals grow over the sides.)

CREEPY CLAY

½ cup white glue

1 ½ cups distilled water

1 teaspoon Borax powder

food coloring

2 small bowls

spoon

Stir glue and ½ cup water in small bowl. Add drops of food coloring. In another bowl, combine borax and 1 cup water. Stir until borax is dissolved. Stir borax mixture constantly while adding glue mixture slowly. Dump glob of clay on flat surface. Knead until smooth/pliable. Store in covered container (up to 1 week.).

MYSTERY MATTER

2 cups white all-purpose glue (Elmer’s)

1 cup liquid starch (Sta-Flo)

Note: The order in which you add the ingredients is important!

Pour the nontoxic glue into a plastic container; add the liquid starch and mix. If the mixture absorbs all the starch, add a little more starch; otherwise the mixture will be too sticky to handle. When mystery matter resembles a ropey lump, drain off excess liquid. You should be able to squeeze and work mystery matter without it sticking to your hands. Should feel quite slippery. Blot off excess liquid. Store in tightly covered container. Allow to rest at least three hours.

When Mystery Matter is the proper consistency, it will resemble caulking compound. It can be stretched by pulling slowly, or snapped by jerking.

Mystery Matter may stick to clothes or carpet, do not allow students to use Mystery Matter anywhere except in bowls, on trays, or on desktops.

Divide Mystery Matter into 15 small zip lock bags. Reserve one portion and put into small plastic margarine container. Place these into a package to be delivered to your classroom. Address it to your class, put used postage on the box.

Include in the box a letter similar to this:

Dear Ms. ______’s Class,

We need your help. Someone from our Super Space Station discovered the enclosed mystery matter in a field near his home. We believe mystery matter came from outer space. We know that mystery matter is safe to touch and smell but it is not safe to taste.

We heard that students in your class are very good at observing and finding out about things. Would you find out as much as you can about mystery matter? When you finish, will you send me a record of what you find? This would save us a lot of time and trouble.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

A Super Space Station Scientist

Have students first feel the matter (in the margarine container) without seeing it. record their observations. Then give them samples in the zip lock bags and have them work in teams to list what the see, smell, hear. and any other properties.

ICE CREAM

1-cup milk

3 tablespoons sugar

1-teaspoon vanilla

Crushed ice

Rock salt

Gallon zip lock bag

Quart zip lock bag

Mix milk, vanilla and sugar in smaller bag. Zip tightly.

Place smaller bag in larger bag. Fill larger bag approx 2/3 full of ice. Liberally add rock salt (I saw one recipe that said 6 tablespoons, but I just shake liberally.). Zip larger bag securely. Let students pass it back and forth and roll it around until ice cream hardens. Take out smaller bag. Wipe salt off. Open and spoon into cups for the students.

The above recipe can be used for two students, and let them work as a team.

SPARKING STAR DIP (creation of crystals)

Borax, water, pipe cleaners, string, jar, pot, tablespoon

Under adult supervision (or teacher does ahead), fill a jar with hot water (boiling is best). Add borax, 1 tablespoon (15 ml.) at a time until no more will dissolve (usually about 3 tablespoons per cup of water).

Make a star shape with pipe cleaners, and then attach a string to the shape. Place the star in the solution. Let it remain overnight. The next morning lift out the string. Enjoy your creation.

SALT DOUGH #1

2 c Cornstarch

4 c Baking soda

2 1/2 c Cold water

Measure the cornstarch and baking soda into a pot. Mix and add 2 1/2 cups of cold water. Place on medium heat. Stir for about 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat. Cover the pot with a wet paper towel. When cool, knead for about 5 minutes, working on a surface covered with waxed paper.

Allow objects to air-dry before painting.

SALT DOUGH #3

4 c Flour

1 c Salt

1 1/2 c Warm water

Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add warm water slowly, using your hands to mix all together. Wear rubber gloves if you wish, as the salt tends to dry your skin. Knead on a flour- covered surface for about 10 minutes, until the surface is smooth and elastic. Wrap the dough tightly or place in a covered container. Take out only what you will be using.

SALT DOUGH #5

1 c Salt

1/2 c Cornstarch

3/4 c Cold water

Stir all ingredients together over low heat. Stir constantly to prevent burning. In 2 or 3 minutes it will thicken and can no longer be stirred. Turn out onto waxed paper or aluminum foil and cool. When cool, knead until smooth. If the dough dries out, add some water. This recipe makes nice ornaments that are rolled and cut with cookie cutters or designed freehand. Allow to air-dry.

SALT PLAYDOUGH

1 c Water

1/2 c Flour

1 c Salt

Food coloring (optional)

----TOOLS NEEDED----

Saucepan, wax paper, rolling pin, airtight container

PROCESS: Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Add food coloring if desired. Stir over low heat. When thick & rubbery remove from heat. Spoon part of clay onto a floured sheet of waxed paper and roll out. Cut out or model objects. Air-dry objects for a few days. Store covered dough in an airtight container to prevent drying.

VARIATIONS: 1. Use straws to punch holes to make ornaments & hang. 2. Make beads and string on yarn. 3. Glue sequins to clay. 4. Paint finished clay model. 5. Make a clay bowl by rolling clay into coils. 6. Use a garlic press to create fine strands for a "hairy" effect.

CHRISTMAS CINNAMON ORNAMENTS

1 c Applesauce

1 oz Cinnamon

1 oz Grd. cloves

1 oz Grd. nutmeg

1 oz Grd. ginger

Cinnamon for cutting board

Combine ingredients to make a stiff dough. Roll out on board dusted with ground cinnamon. Cut with cookie cutters of your choice. Put hole in top for string. Lay out flat to dry. Turn over every 12 hours until completely dry.

CORNSTARCH AND SALT FUNDOUGH #1

4c salt,

1 c Cornstarch

Water

Combine salt and cornstarch in an electric skillet. Add enough water to form a paste. Cook on a medium heat setting, stirring constantly. The dough will not be sticky like flour dough and will not mold because of the high salt content.

INVISIBLE WRITING

1 Tablet of laxative

1 tb Rubbing alcohol

Cotton balls

Household ammonia

Mash the laxative tablet into the tablespoon of alcohol. Be sure the tablet is entirely dissolved. Write a message on the paper with paintbrush dipped into the solution. As the solution dries, the writing will disappear. To develop the message: dampen the cotton ball with liquid ammonia and dab it on the page. The writing will reappear.

QUICK AND EASY MODELLING DOUGH

3/4-cup flour (use any kind except for self-rising flour)

1/2-cup salt

1 1/2 tsp. powdered alum

1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil

food coloring

1. Combine flour, salt, and alum in a mixing bowl.

2. Add vegetable oil and boiling water. Stir vigorously with a spoon until well blended. Dough should not stick to the sides of the bowl and should be cool enough to handle.

3. Add food coloring and knead into dough until color is well blended and the dough is the desired tint.

Makes about 1 cup. Double the recipe for large projects. For groups, mix several double recipes rather then one large amount.

How to Use it: This is an excellent play dough. It has a smooth texture, takes about 15 minutes to make, and dries to a hard finish overnight. Use it to make lovely dough flowers as well as animals and other figures. Store in a jar with a tight lid. Dough will last several months without refrigeration.

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