Science For Littles
Making slime with Big A was an exercise in critical thinking for both of us. Messy play is a great sensory experience for toddlers: they get to feel different textures and witnesses the reactions of mixing ingredients. I didn’t introduce the periodic table or anything, but things got pretty science-y. We talked about liquids and solids, how they could change, what things felt like. Big A practiced fine motors skills, stirring obsessively. We signed fun words like “corn” and “shaving cream.” Big A’s biggest complaint would be that he had to wait fifteen minutes for the shaving cream foam to set in the freezer. Distract your toddler with the cornstarch slime.
Biting My Tongue
For this momma, making slime is an exercise in self-control, holding my tongue, and patience. Fighting the urge to say, “keep it in the bowl,” “not in your hair,” “watch the floor,” or another inane momism that doesn’t really matter in the long-run. Any activity in which I can attempt to train myself to let Big A and myself enjoy the moment, to think before I speak, is a good activity for us to do.
These recipes are great, as they don’t contain Borox or glue, are quickly whipped up and easily cleaned up. Let the messiness (and concurrent neuron connection!) begin!
Shaving Cream Slime
2 Tablespoons Johnson and Johnson No Tears Shampoo
2 Tablespoons Shaving Cream
1 Teaspoon Salt
(We added yellow food coloring)
* Mix ingredients
*Put in freezer to set for fifteen minutes
Cornstarch Slime
Cornstarch
Water
*Mix cornstarch and water in a mixing cup until the mixture looks liquid-y but feels solid when you grab it in your fingers. It’s weird. You’ll know it when you feel it. Pour into bigger container to play with.
Got any slime stories? Comment below! Share this article, there’s gotta be more parents who don’t happen to have Borax sitting around their house.
