Gooey Fun

Playdough is always a big hit in our class. It's fun to touch, smells nice, is a great medium for artistic expression, and even helps build fine motor and oral language skills.

But the interest in playdough has been waning over the last few days, so we decided to try a new type of sensory modelling compound: goo!

Goo is the name the children gave to the stuff. It's also called Flubber or Slime.
It's pretty appealing stuff. It's stretchy and moldable, sticky and rubbery, viscous and shiny. Think Silly Putty, but runnier. Even the adults in the room can't keep their hands off it!

 There's no end to what the children can do with it: stretch it, cut it, roll it, bounce it, sculpt it, stamp it, and flatten it.

 These boys are working co-operatively to make a road, which they are texturizing with lids and spoons.

 It's even a medium for art.

JJ and his dinosaur

We HIGHLY recommend you try making this at home. It's a great way to spend a rainy Saturday inside. Here's the recipe:

You need:
2 bowls and 2 spoons
Quality white glue (we used LePage but Elmer's is better)
Borax (found in the laundry aisle...check Home Hardware if it's not at the grocery store)
Hot water

Mix #1
Combine 2 cups of glue and 1.5 cups of very hot water. Stir well with a clean spoon.

Mix#2
Dissolve 3 teaspoons borax in 1 cup of very hot water. Stir to dissolve with a clean spoon.

Pour Mix 1 into Mix 2. DON'T STIR. Put in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set, and then pull out your goo! While you're waiting for it to set, gather up some cups, spoons, forks, and other tools to play with it. It will be very wet and messy at first, but it firms up and becomes less sticky with use.

Store in a ziploc or tupperware on the counter. It will be good for days.

Have fun! Please send us your pictures if you try it at home!