A couple of nights ago the kids were getting a little rowdy while we were waiting on supper to finish cooking. They had already played outside and needed something to do inside for a few minutes.
I opened up my bag of tricks and we made something that not only kept them entertained but was like a mini science experiment, too.
The first time I made Gak was 17+ years ago when I was teaching (before I had children). I had always used regular white glue, but this time I chose to use the clear glue I purchased last week.
I divided the original recipe into thirds but my math may not have been the greatest because I did have to add a little more water to the Gak when I was kneading it.
Even so, it turned out well and at least one of the kids has asked to play with it every day since we made it.
If you would like to make some Gak with your children, here’s how.
Glitter Gak Ingredients
- 2 Cups Clear Glue (16 ounces)
- 1 1/2 Cups Tap Water
- 2 teaspoons of Borax
- 1 Cup Hot water
- Glitter
- Mixing Bowls and Spoons
Note: I divided this recipe in thirds because I only had one 5 ounce bottle of glue.
*You can also make this recipe with white glue and food coloring instead of the clear glue and glitter. (This is how I have always made it.)
Instructions
1. Pour the glue into a mixing bowl.
2. Add the tap water and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl measure out the hot water.
4. Add the borax to the hot water.
5. Add some glitter to the borax water mixture and stir to combine. The glitter won’t mix too well but that’s alright.
6. Pour the borax/glitter/hot water mixture into the glue/water mixture.
This is where the science comes into play.
7. Stir the mixtures together.
The borax will cause the glue molecules to stick together which will make it a polymer (a long chain of molecules).
My kids were amazed at how the ingredients turned from a liquid state to a more solid state.
After a minute it will get very hard to stir the mixture.
8. At this point you will need to knead it. 🙂
I took over the job of kneading to get the gak ready to be played with.
Once the gak was more pliable I gave each of the kids some to play with.
They found that gak bounces, it conforms to the shape of any container it is in, and gravity will cause it to become very long if you are patient.
When you are done playing with the gak (I said you because you will find yourself enjoying it, too), be sure to store it in an air-tight container or baggie.
I will note that this is not safe for eating so be sure to use it only for children who aren’t prone to putting things in their mouths or watch them very closely.
Also, gak can get stuck to clothing so be careful not to let the kids put it on their clothes.
What do you think? Would your kids like to make some gak?
