Making Homemade Goo (or Slime)

Between the recent earthquake and the hurricane, the thought of entertaining kids with no electricity may seem daunting.  However, here's an activity that is easy on the wallet, adheres to the Frugal Writer Project Criteria, and will keep the kids entertained for a good while.

I gratefully acknowledge Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. for her great post on this subject and the accompanying recipe:


Homemade Goo (or slime)

Ingredients:
1 c water
1 tsp borax
1/2 c Elmer's or school glue (one 4oz bottle)
1/2 c water

Instructions:

1. Mix the first two ingredients in a bowl
2. Mix the next two ingredients in another container, preferably one with a lid, so it can be used as a storage container.  Stir well.
3. Dump the borax-water solution into the glue solution.  You'll be amazed, the stuff starts glooping immediately.
4. Add food coloring if desired. 

Part of the fun is actually having the kids stick their hands in there and mix up the goo.  If the solution is too watery, you can pour off some of the water.  The more the kids play with it, the more goopy it gets!  Store it in an airtight container or ziplock bag so that it does not dry out.

As far as food coloring goes, you can add it to the goo anytime.  We attempted to make a rainbow tie dye version, but eventually, the colors just run together anyway.

This goo will keep for two weeks in a sealed container.  My kids, including my rambunctious boy and his high energy best friend will play with this stuff for at least an hour and making it is part of the fun.  The goo will get into clothes and may not come off right away, but since everything is made of water soluble ingredients it comes out in the wash just fine.    Great for indoor days, when you have no power or when you just need the boys to stop jumping off the couches for a spell.

Five Point Project Management Criteria

The Frugal Writer's stringent criteria for attempting any at home project is as follows:

• It has to be easy to do
• It must save money or time (or both!)
• It should be environmentally friendly, or at least improve conservation efforts (reduce, recycle, reuse)
• It must require less than 5 steps and/or 5 ingredients or less
• It must be a project that can be broken down and completed in 15 minute increments

This criteria follows for any cooking recipe, craft project, chore around the house and any other thing that I would like to accomplish with kids underfoot.  If a project does not meet this criteria, it will probably not get done unless the kids are elsewhere and I still have the energy and will to complete it.

This set of standards is a great way for me to let go of pipe dreams, such as exotic recipes or anything else with zero guilt.  And, yes, I have assembled IKEA cabinetry in 15 minute increments...