Silly Putty/glow/magnetic

Glow in the Dark Silly Putty

While we were on vacation in NY my Aunt had given my oldest some glow sticks. My daughter had so much fun with these. She has always loved glow in the dark things (moon in my room, twilight turtle, etc.) We started to explore with glow in the dark materials. I have a lot of things planned for them so if I "glow you in the dark" to death I am apologizing now! Here are a few we started with.... stay tuned for more. :-)

Materials:

1. Glue
2. Glow in the dark paint... we tried several. So far glo away by Plaid gave the best glow.
3. Liquid starch.

Start by putting in 2 ounces of paint or so into a bowl. Add a cup of glue. Add starch until you get the consistency you want.... maybe 1/2 cup. If it's too sticky add starch, to stringy add glue. This can also be stored and saved in a plastic Ziploc bag for up to 2-4 weeks depending on your use.



Silly Putty Tutorial

1 cup Elmer's school glue (this type of glue works the best)
1/2 cup liquid starch
optional- food coloring and or glitter

The first step is to simply put 1/2 cup liquid starch into the bowl.

Now add the glue. Be sure to keep the ratio exactly 1 cup glue to 1/2 cup starch as it can get too sticky.
Now mix it all together. This stage takes awhile.
Just keep mixing and eventually it will come together.
Now is when you add the food coloring and or glitter.
Once it is together enough to handle knead it by hand. If it feels too sticky just add a little more starch.



Magnetic Silly Putty
Step 1: Tools + materials

TOOLS:
disposable gloves (latex or other)
disposable face mask
disposable work area (paper plate)

MATERIALS:
Thinking Putty ($2.00 or less) - any color
ferric iron oxide powder (artist supply stores)
neodymium magnet

The secret ingredient that makes the putty magnetic is an iron oxide powder, which is ferric (magnetic). Ferric iron oxide is a fine powder used as black pigment and can be found at art stores.

Step 2: Prepare putty
Start by clearing a space to work, make sure it is well ventilated. Iron oxide powder is very fine and inhaling it is probably not such a good idea. Put on your gloves and face mask before you begin.

Open the thinking putty and remove from the container. Work the putty in your hands a little to warm it up, then stretch it out like a sheet and lay it on your disposable work surface (sheet of paper or paper plate).

Step 3: Add iron oxide
Thinking Putty comes in different sizes, depending on where you purchase it. I found mine in a local toy shop, it comes in an egg-shaped container and is about 24 grams (0.8 oz).

For this size, I used about a tablespoon of iron oxide, you may require more or less depending on your putty size and amount of magnetism desired.

Carefully spoon the iron oxide into center of putty sheet, then close lid on iron oxide powder to reduce excess iron dust escaping.

Step 4: Work it
Gently fold edges of putty sheet into center and work the powder into the putty. Go slow, the powder produces lots of dust.

After a minute of massaging the putty it will lose it's color and begin to look black as pitch. Keep massaging putty for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Experiment and have fun!
That's it, you're done! Grab your magnet and start experimenting with your new magnetic putty.

You can stretch out a strand and make it follow your magnet, you can polarize your putty to work as a magnet itself, and then there's the classic of placing the magnet directly on the putty and watching it envelop the magnet. There's plenty of fun to be had, check out the video I made with some of the fun you can do.