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Simple Directions for Making Flubber

Flubber is the homemade equivalent of Silly Putty. Even older children will be fascinated by the reaction that occurs between everyday household materials. It's intriguing that the silicon polymer they create with this messy activity will go from being a thick, oozy liquid to behaving like a solid. The kids will be even more amazed that after allowing their flubber to sit and rest awhile, it magically transforms itself back into a more liquid form.

Things You'll Need

Old newspapers
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup all-purpose white glue
Food coloring
2 tsp. borax
Airtight plastic containers or sealed plastic food storage bags

Instructions

- 1
  Spread several of layers of old newspapers over your working surface. Combine 3/4 cup warm water with 1 cup of all-purpose white glue in a small mixing bowl. Stir to mix thoroughly. Add food coloring a drop at a time until you're happy with the shade. Stir to blend well.
- 2
  Combine 2 tsp. of borax with 1/2 cup of warm water in a large mixing bowl. Stir until all of the borax is completely dissolved.
- 3
  Pour the colored glue mixture into the borax solution. The two liquids will react with each other on contact. A semi-solid mass of flubber will begin to form immediately.
- 4
  Poke your hand down into the material. Mix it, knead it and squish it between your fingers. The more you work the borax solution into the glue mixture, the bigger the gooey glob of flubber becomes. Continue squishing and working the flubber until all of the liquid is absorbed and it isn't slippery or slimy anymore.
- 5
  Play with your cold, squishy flubber. Poke it, pull it and stretch it. Mold it into sculptures. Press small toys into it to make impressions. Roll a piece of the flubber into a ball and bounce it. Put it into a large plastic container to sit for a few minutes. The flubber seems to slowly melt back into thick, oozy liquid. Work it with your hands to solidify it again.
- 6
  Store your flubber in airtight plastic containers or sealed plastic food storage bags at room temperature for up to three weeks.

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