Creating Stretchy Fun: Making Silly Putty At Home

how to make silly putty australia

Silly putty is a fun activity for kids and can even be used as a therapeutic tool for children with autism. It is also a great science project for kids, encouraging them to think like scientists and experiment with different textures. You can easily make silly putty at home with simple ingredients such as cornflour, dish soap, yoghurt, glue, liquid starch, and borax. The basic recipe involves mixing the ingredients until the desired consistency is achieved, and you can even make it edible and safe for toddlers. So, let's explore the different ways to make silly putty and get those creative juices flowing!

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Cornstarch (or cornflour), dish soap, yoghurt, liquid starch, glue, borax, food colouring
Time 2 minutes to 5 minutes
Number of ingredients 2
Skin safety Borax can be a skin irritant for some children. Contact lens solution is a safer alternative.
Taste safety Edible yoghurt-based putty is taste-safe but not tasty
Storage Can be stored for a couple of days in a ziplock bag

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Edible yoghurt silly putty

Making silly putty is a fun activity for kids and can be a great way to keep them engaged. This recipe for edible yoghurt silly putty is safe for little ones who like to put everything in their mouths and is also gluten-free.

Ingredients

  • Yoghurt (plain or flavoured, regular or Greek)
  • Cornstarch (also known as corn flour)
  • Food colouring (optional)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Method

  • Pour the yoghurt into a medium-sized bowl.
  • Add a few drops of food colouring to the yoghurt and stir. This step can be skipped if you want white silly putty.
  • Add cornstarch to the mixture a little bit at a time, stirring it in with a spoon. Keep stirring until all the cornstarch has been mixed in.
  • Knead the mixture with your hands until the putty is stretchy and smooth.
  • Adjust the consistency as needed. If the putty feels sticky, add a bit more cornstarch. If it feels too dry, add a bit more yoghurt or a small amount of water.

Storage

This silly putty does not store well, so it is best to make a fresh batch each time. However, if you want to store it, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to keep it clean and add a little liquid soap to make it pliable again if needed.

Variations

For a different take on this recipe, you can add about 4 dashes of gel food colouring and 1 teaspoon of sprinkles to the putty. Remove the putty from the bowl and knead it on parchment paper for 5 to 10 minutes. Then form it into your favourite shapes!

Other Silly Putty Recipes

There are also other silly putty recipes that use different ingredients such as glue and liquid or diluted borax. However, these recipes may not be edible or suitable for young children who are still likely to put things in their mouths, as borax can be a possible skin irritant.

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Dish soap silly putty

To make the putty, put the corn starch in a small bowl and slowly add the dish soap. You can mix it together with a spoon, but if it becomes difficult to stir, use your hands to knead the mixture. If the putty is too wet, add more corn starch. Conversely, if it is too dry, add more dish soap. You can experiment with the consistency until you find one that you like.

This dish soap silly putty is a fun and interactive way to engage kids in sensory play and explore science. It is also a great option for kids who are sensitive to touch, as it can be played with inside a ziplock bag.

It is important to note that this putty does not keep well and will dry out in about an hour. You can add more soap to extend its life, but it will eventually need to be thrown out. Clean-up is easy, as any crumbs of dish soap and corn starch can be wiped up with a wet cloth, leaving your counters clean.

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Borax and glue silly putty

Borax and glue are two key ingredients in making silly putty. The process is straightforward, but it requires adult supervision if children are involved. Borax can be dangerous if not handled properly, and it is not safe for consumption. It can also cause burns if there is extended contact with skin. It is therefore recommended to wear plastic gloves when making this type of silly putty.

The first step is to mix 1/4 cup of water with 1/4 cup of glue in a bowl. Stir the mixture until it is well combined. For opaque silly putty, use regular white glue, and for clear silly putty, use white glue. If you want to add colour, add a few drops of food colouring and stir until the colour is even. Set the mixture aside.

Next, combine 1/8 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of borax in a large glass measuring cup or bowl. Stir until the borax is mostly dissolved. Be careful not to add any undissolved borax granules to the mixture. Slowly add the borax mixture to the glue mixture, stirring constantly.

The mixture will begin to thicken rapidly. Once combined, place the putty on a non-stick surface and knead it until it is no longer sticky. If you want to add glitter, simply stir in a few spoonfuls of extra-fine glitter until it is evenly distributed.

The putty can be stored in plastic containers or plastic eggs. It will dry out over time, but you can add a little liquid soap to make it pliable and stretchy again. However, it is important to keep the putty away from cloth and fabric surfaces, as it can be difficult to remove. This silly putty is not recommended for younger children who may put it in their mouths, and it should be kept away from pets. Always have the number for your local poison control centre handy in case of ingestion.

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Making silly putty prints

Making silly putty is a fun activity for kids and adults alike, and it's even better when you can use it to create something else! Here are some steps to make silly putty prints:

Prepare the Silly Putty

First, you'll need to make the silly putty. You can use a variety of recipes for this, but a simple one involves mixing together 1 cup of cornstarch and 1/2-1 cup of clear liquid soap or conditioner. You can also add a few drops of food colouring if you want coloured putty. Mix the ingredients in a bowl until you have a putty-like consistency. If it's too sticky, add a little more cornstarch. If it's too dry, add a bit more soap.

Create Your Design

Once you have your silly putty, it's time to create your design! Roll the putty out on a flat surface until it's about 1/4 inch thick. You can use your hands to smooth it out, or a rolling pin if you have one. If the putty is sticking to your hands, you can wet your hands slightly or dust the putty with a little cornstarch.

Make Your Print

Now it's time to make your print! You can use a variety of objects to create your print, such as leaves, coins, or toys with interesting textures. Simply press the object into the rolled-out putty and then carefully remove it. You can also use stamps or cut out shapes from the putty with cookie cutters.

Add Details

If you want to add more detail to your print, you can use a toothpick or a thin paintbrush to create lines, dots, or other patterns. You can also try pressing different objects into the putty to create a textured background for your print.

Make Multiple Prints

If you want to create multiple prints, you can carefully remove the putty from your first print and then roll it out again. You may need to add a little more soap or water to the putty to keep it pliable. You can also try creating prints with different colours of putty to create a more colourful design.

Preserve Your Print

If you want to preserve your silly putty print, you can carefully cut around the edges of the print to create a frame. You can then place this in a picture frame or on a card to display your artwork! Alternatively, you can leave the print to dry out completely and then carefully peel it off the surface to create a stand-alone sculpture.

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Storing silly putty

It's worth noting that the putty will dry out as it's played with. To bring it back to the desired consistency, add another pump of soap. This silly putty doesn't store well, but it can be kept for a couple of days in a sealed bag. Results may vary, particularly depending on the air humidity.

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