MIB: Slime

Now I know why I would never make a good elementary school teacher.  I can’t handle the mess (which is funny if you have ever seen my office.   However, it is not dirty mess, it is clutter mess.  Do you like how I justify “mess” through different definitions?)  I always thought that I would teach K or 1^st because two of my most favorite teachers, Mrs. Newton and Mrs. Reyelts, were that impactful.  Like many kids, I did some skills testing before college to identify what career would suit me best and the tests indicated that I should not go into elementary education.  “You won’t be able to relate to the young students” was the feedback.  Little did I know that it meant on a tactile vs. intellectual level.  I was crushed and went into marketing instead. 

This past weekend we visited the Children’s Museum in Houston.  It is excellent!  We only experienced about half the museum and will have to go back.  Everything involves touching and doing and experimenting.  One of the favorite activities was playing with the slime and flubber so, of course, we had to try it at home.  We made edible slime, Jello jigglers, and completely inedible slime like at the museum.

I tried my best to “let it go” with the knowledge that paper towels and 409 were not far behind.

With the start of school around the corner, this completes the MIB (Mom, I’m Bored) series.  Have a wonderful school year!!

Jello Jigglers

Jello Jigglers

Ingredients:

1.      4 – 3 oz. boxes of Jello gelatin

2.      2 ½ c boiling water

3.      Cookie cutters or plastic knives

4.      Spatula

From the side of the box: add 2 ½ c boiling water to 4 packages (3 oz each) Jello.  Stir 3 minutes until completely dissolved.  Do not add cold water.  Pour into a 13x9 inch pan.  Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm. 

Dip bottom of pan in warm water about 15 seconds.  Cut gelatin into 1 inch squares or use cookie cutters for shapes. 

Slime (NOT edible)

Slime (NOT edible!)

We tried a number of recipes.  This one seemed to mix and hold up the best. 

Ingredients:

1.      4 oz. bottle of Elmer’s Glue-All

2.      1 t Borax, like Mule Team Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle)

Empty a 4 oz bottle of Elmer's Glue-All into a bowl. Fill the empty glue bottle with warm water and shake. Then pour it in the bowl of glue. Optional: add 1-10 drops of food coloring and with a wooden spoon stir well.

In another bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of 10 Mule Team Borax with 1 cup of warm water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the powder dissolves.

Slowly pour the (colored) glue into the bowl with the borax solution, stirring with a wooden spoon the whole time.  Remove the thick glob that forms and knead the glob with your hands until it feels smooth and dry.  Wearing rubber gloves is optional.

Discard the water left in the bowl.