Make Something Monday: Slime!

How's your summer going? We've been having a lot of success with our summer plan. Of course things are never perfect, but there's been a lot of fun filled activities that everyone's enjoyed. We got this idea for homemade slime from a trip to the library actually. In one of their programs they made this for the kids to touch and as soon as we got home we had to whip up a batch ourselves. I love it because it's so easy to make, in fact my 6-year old made it himself with just a little help. He's spent many happy hours playing with this since. Hurray for cheap fun!

Homemade Slime
Printable Recipe

*NOTE: Hopefully it goes without saying by the ingredient list, but this is a NON-EDIBLE recipe. It's simply for play. 

INGREDIENTS:
1 tsp. Borax (can be found in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores)
1-1/2 Cups water, divided
1/2 Cup Elmer's Glue
3-4 drops food coloring, optional

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp. borax in 1 Cup water until borax is dissolved. Set aside. In another larger bowl mix together 1/2 Cup water and 1/2 Cup Elmer's glue until well combined. Add food coloring (if using) to glue mixture and mix again. Now pour borax/water mixture into Elmer's glue mixture and stir. You should start to see some separation and you'll notice the slime starting to form. Once this happens pick up the slime with your hands and move back and forth in your hands over the bowl until extra water drips off and slime has firmed up. Now it's time to play. Have fun!

Recipe Source: healthyfamilycookin.blogspot.com

Do you need other ideas for activities this summer? Check out this post full of summer fun ideas. Happy Summer!

Giant Bubbles - Homemade Summer Fun!

We made some giant bubbles the other day with the kids and it was a lot of fun. I have to admit that I had more fun than even the kids. I love bubbles! Here's the bubble recipe we used:

1/2 C. Dawn dish detergent
1/2 C. corn syrup
1 gallon water.

Mix them in a large flat container (we used a big plastic bin). We remodeled coat hangers to use for the bubble blowers. It worked great. I've also seen this done with a huge batch (several gallons). You put them in a mini pool and the kids stand in the middle. You use a hoola hoop to make the giant bubbles over the children! What fun!

Here's another recipe that uses Glycerin if you happen to have it on hand:

1 cup dishwashing Joy or Dawn detergent
1 gallon water
1 Tbsp. glycerin

Happy Summer!

Play Dough

Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies out there!

I think part of having a healthy family is enjoying fun things together. I have fond memories growing up of playing with play dough. We hardly ever had the store-bought kind. My Mom would make this recipe and it was great - kept us entertained for hours. I made some the other day and my kids and I had a blast playing with it. The possibilities are limitless with play dough. It's non-toxic so that's good too. This is a fun recipe to make when you need something a little different to do with the kids.

Play Dough
Printable Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 Cup salt
1 Cup water (with coloring added)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan. Stir well. Cook over medium heat until pulls away from sides of pan, stirring constantly. Cool. Store in air-tight container in refrigerator. Will keep for several weeks if sealed well.

Recipe Source: Adapted from a recipe from my mom.