The Power of Parenting

Saturday, 14 November 2020

Homemade Silly Putty

Age Range: 19 months to 5 years

This is a great activity for your toddlers and preschoolers. It begins with making the silly putty together and then exploring all the things you can do with it once it is ready. Making the silly putty is just half the fun! Once it’s ready, you and your child can use your imaginations to create all sorts of fun games and activities you can do together.

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You will need:
  • 2 parts  white glue
  • 1 part  liquid starch
  • 1 Small mixing bowl with tight fitting lid

 

 

Instructions:
  1. Mix glue and starch together. 
  2. Let stand until putty is workable (you may have to add a bit more glue or starch).
  3. When you are not using it, store in air tight container (may not work on a humid day).

 

 

Here's what to do while you make it:
While making the silly putty talk with your child about the different ingredients and their qualities – touch, smell etc. As you combine ingredients talk about what’s happening as things are added.

 

 

Here's what you can do once it is made:
Once your silly putty is made a different kind of fun can begin for you and your child. Use the silly putty to create your own games. The flexible nature of silly putty can let you and your child make different shapes and designs on a table. Or, if you are looking for a little more action, use it like a ball – but let it stretch out from your hand to your child’s. Don’t stop there – together, come up with some of your own games and activities for the silly putty.

 

Enjoy this more with Comfort, Play & Teach™:

Comfort: Spending time with your child making and then playing with the silly putty tells him that he is important to you and makes your child feel loved.

Play: Once the silly putty is made and ready to use, together you and your child can make up different games and activities using the silly putty. Encourage your child to use his imagination to come up with different ways to use the silly putty.

Teach: Any activity that involves mixing is a great teach moment. Talking to your child about the different ingredients, their qualities and what happens when they are put together are just a few of the things you can explore.