how to make flubber

It is bone-chilling cold out there this morning. I thought I was going to get frostbite on my ears while waiting for Jake’s bus! The weather report states that when you factor the wind chill into account, it feels about 9 degrees outside. I’d agree with that! With more cold days ahead, you might be looking for something different to do with your kids that will keep them occupied for a while. Have you ever tried making flubber? Some people call it “gak” or “goop” or even “slime.” But my boys prefer “flubber.” All it takes is a few things you probably already have around the house. Making it is simple and if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll play with it for at least 45 minutes afterwards! Here’s what you do.

Recipe for Flubber

Ingredients:
2 bottles of white glue (4 oz. each)
2 cups of warm water, divided
food coloring
1 1/2 teaspoon Borax
bowls for mixing (I suggest glass)

Pour out the bottles of glue into a large glass bowl. Add one cup of warm water to the glue and stir until the glue has thinned out to an even consistency. If you want to add food coloring (and why wouldn’t you?) add a few drops now and stir, stir, stir until you achieve your desired color.

In a separate bowl add the Borax to the second cup of warm water and stir until the Borax has dissolved. Slowly pour this into the bowl of glue, stirring the glue constantly. (Enlist the help of a munchkin to pour while you stir — it makes it much easier.) Continue to stir until it forms a big slimy blob. You’ll see the chemical reaction taking place immediately.

At first the flubber might be a little bit watery, but be patient and give it a few minutes. It will all come together. Store the flubber in a tightly-sealed container. Also, be aware that it does not last forever and it can get moldy. Don’t ask me how I know, just trust me on that one.

The boys like to use cookie cutters with it, make big flubber balls and watch them flatten out, cover their hands, and just enjoy the squishy feeling. I have to admit that it does feel pretty neat! If you try it, let me know how it goes!