Stuck inside again due to rain?  Have restless kids who love to experiment?  Why not get those wheels turning by making homemade Gak?  What is Gak you ask?  Gak is a concoction sold in the US in the 80s and 90s, it is sort of like slime, sort of like play dough, and sort of like silly putty all in one.  Basically, it is a young child’s dream. Plus it’s so easy to make, and you may already have all the ingredients available right now. 

 

 

Ingredients:

White Glue (Elmer’s works)

Ziptop bags (gallon size if you have)

Food coloring

Liquid Starch

Cornstarch

Directions:

1.)  1 cup of glue into the gallon ziptop bag

2.)  Mix in food coloring

3.)  Slowly add in about 1 cup of liquid starch (you can also use 1/3 warm water mixed with ½ teaspoon of borax instead of liquid starch

4.)  Close the bag, and have the kids knead the mixture until its mixed and somewhat solid.

5.)  Drain off any excess liquid

The measurements are simple, and the process easy enough that your school aged kids can absolutely help you mix up this gunk.  Younger kids should absolutely be monitored while playing with this stuff, NO EATING SLIME.  Once everything is mixed and kneaded to a smooth, slimy texture let those cute little hands go to town experimenting with the liquid, yet not liquid slimy junk that is home made Gak. 

*If you find yourself without these ingredients, try making “oobleck.”  Mix 1/2 cup of water with 1 cup of cornstarch.  Don’t forget food coloring.  Knead, then enjoy.  It’s amazing stuff, and looks like a liquid just until pressure is applied.  Science rules!

-Stephanie Wright