GAK, Magic Muck, Gloop, Glop
Whatever you call this simple mixture, it always provides hours of fun and entertainment for kids of all ages!
Here is what you need:
Cornstarch and water
Bowl/container
Towels
Washcloths for clean up
I created a space in the kitchen with a two big beach towels. I tried it with a splat mat (goes under a high chair),but I found that it is much easier to clean up with the beach towel, because when you are done you can just throw them in the washer.
pour about 1/3 cups water into the bowl.
Slowly add about ¾ cup cornstarch to the water (do not mix the two, yet)
Let the mixture stand for a couple of minutes then if needed, you can mix the two together.
Pick up a handful of the Gak and squeeze it to make a ball. Then open your hand and it will melt.
As you play with it you will realize that if you tap it really fast it is hard and when you put your hand in slowly it is gooey. You can roll a ball and open your hand and it will melt.
This is a really great science lesson, one that doesn’t need to go into details, but you can explain solid and liquid.
We did try adding food coloring to water then mixing it with the cornstarch. I didn’t really like it because it stained our hands. So we just stick to the basic recipe now.
If you decide to add food coloring only do a couple of drops.
Water to cornstarch ratio can be different depending on the weather. If there is lots of humidity you will need to add less water, if there is no humidity you will have to add more. Play around with the proportions of water and cornstarch.
And before you go….don’t miss this great video on You Tube from the Ellen DeGeneres show playing with this mixture. I promise you will laugh out loud!
I hope you enjoy GAK as much as my son Jack does!
Kristen Kanoski was a professional nanny for 20 years. She is now a full time mom to her son Jack but she still stays involved and in touch with her colleagues in the professional nanny field. She also has a blog Beyond Bottles.
She is also an independent consultant for Tastefully Simple
You will be seeing alot of Kris and Jack on Creative Nanny Wednesday. They are going to be 2 of our “Nanny Craft Testers” If you would like to get involved as one of our craft testers email Glenda(at)regardingnannies(dot)com