Homemade Silly Putty Recipe

Making homemade silly putty is a fun and easy craft for Scouts. It works well as part of a den meeting, patrol activity, or Venturing crew gathering. It uses simple materials you can find at home or in a store. Scouts enjoy making it and learning how it works.

This activity fits with Scouting’s focus on hands-on learning. It can be a creative way to teach science while keeping Scouts engaged. It connects to STEM topics by exploring how polymers are made. Scouts can ask questions and test what happens if they change the recipe.

The project encourages teamwork and problem-solving. Scouts can work in pairs or small groups to follow the steps and help each other. They can also compare their results to see how small changes affect the putty.

Homemade silly putty is easy to clean up and safe to use. It provides an interesting mix of science and fun for Scouts of all ages. It’s a great addition to your next Scouting event or meeting.

Silly Putty was invented by accident during World War II. Scientists were trying to create a rubber substitute because rubber was in short supply. One scientist mixed boric acid and silicone oil, and the result was a stretchy, bouncy material. It wasn’t useful as rubber, but it was interesting to work with.

In 1949, a man named Peter Hodgson saw its potential. He put it in small plastic eggs and sold it as a toy. Kids loved it, and it became a hit. Over the years, people have used Silly Putty to do all kinds of creative things. It even went to space on Apollo 8!

What makes Silly Putty so entertaining is how many ways you can use it. You can stretch it, roll it, bounce it, or press it onto pictures to lift the ink. It’s also easy to shape and mold. Its strange mix of solid and liquid properties makes it interesting to explore.

Today, Silly Putty is still a favorite for kids and adults. It’s simple, hands-on, and never gets boring. Whether you’re using the store-bought version or making your own, it’s an invention that has stood the test of time.

When you make silly putty, you are creating something called a polymer. Polymers are made of long chains of molecules linked together. These chains can move and slide past each other, which is why the putty can stretch, bounce, and even break. Many everyday materials, like plastic, are also polymers.

The borax in the recipe acts as a crosslinker. Crosslinkers connect the chains of molecules in the glue. This changes the glue from a liquid to a solid that can still bend and flow. The links between the chains make the putty stretchy but also give it shape.

You can also see how the putty acts differently when you change how you handle it. If you pull it slowly, it stretches. If you pull it quickly, it snaps. These differences happen because the chains in the polymer need time to move past each other. This makes silly putty an excellent way to learn about how materials behave.

Making silly putty shows how small changes can make a big difference. By changing ingredients or how much you use, you can experiment with the texture and firmness. This makes it a great hands-on science project.

Equipment:

• 2 bowls
• 2 spoons for stirring

Materials:

• 1 teaspoon borax
• 1 cup white or transparent school glue
• 1 1/4 cups water
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Put 3/4 cup of water into one bowl.
2. Add the borax to the water. Stir until the borax dissolves. If you want colored putty, add a few drops of food coloring to this mixture.
3. In the second bowl, mix 1/2 cup of water with 1 cup of glue. Stir until the glue and water are combined.
4. Slowly pour the glue mixture into the bowl with the borax mixture. Stir as you pour.
5. A ball of putty will start to form. Use your hands to knead and mix the putty. (It will feel sticky at first but will firm up as you work with it.)
6. Store the putty in an airtight container when not in use.

Variations:

• For softer putty, use less borax.
• For stiffer putty, add more borax, but do so slowly.
• Try different colors by mixing in food coloring.

Safety Notes:

• Borax can irritate skin or eyes, so wash your hands after handling it.
• Do not eat the putty or the ingredients. Keep the materials away from small children and pets.
• Work on a washable surface to avoid messes.

Enjoy experimenting with your homemade putty!

Click here for a printable copy of how to make homemade silly putty

Crafts for Scouts

Looking for more fun crafts for Scouts? Check out my Crafts for Scouts page. You’ll find lots of ideas, like making homemade silly putty, that are perfect for meetings or activities. These crafts are simple, engaging, and work for all ages. Whether you want something creative, hands-on, or educational, you’ll find plenty of options to fit your program. Visit Crafts for Scouts to explore more projects and inspire your Scouts to get creative.

Crafting Connections: The Importance of Creative Projects in Scouting

Can I use a different kind of glue?

You should use school glue, either white or transparent. Other types of glue might not work because they don’t have the same ingredients.

Is homemade silly putty safe to make?

Yes, it is safe as long as you follow the directions. Make sure no one eats the putty or the ingredients. Wash your hands after handling the borax mixture.

How do I store the putty?

Keep it in an airtight container or a plastic bag. This keeps it from drying out and becoming hard.

Can I make it without food coloring?

Yes, the food coloring is optional. Without it, your silly putty will be white or clear, depending on the glue you use.

What should I do if it’s too sticky?

Keep kneading it with your hands. If it stays too sticky, add a little more borax mixture and knead again.

Can I reuse the bowls and spoons?

Yes, but wash them well with soap and water after you finish making the putty.

How can I make different textures?

You can experiment by adding more or less borax. Less borax makes softer putty, and more borax makes it firmer.

Homemade Silly Putty is an easy and fun craft for Scouts of all ages. It combines simple materials like glue, water, and borax to create a stretchy, bouncy material. This project is great for meetings, activities, or rainy days when you need something hands-on to keep Scouts engaged.

Making the putty is a hands-on way to explore science. It teaches about polymers, which are long chains of molecules. Scouts can experiment with the recipe to see how changes affect the texture. They’ll enjoy stretching, molding, and bouncing their creations while learning how materials behave.

This craft also builds teamwork and problem-solving skills. Scouts can work in small groups to mix ingredients, knead the putty, and troubleshoot sticky or stiff results. It’s a simple activity with lots of opportunities for learning and creativity. Plus, the cleanup is quick, making it an easy choice for leaders.