We tried another fun experiment last week . . . we attempted to make bouncy balls (another great suggestion from my fabulous friend, Shelly)! I found these directions, and we got to work.
Here's what you'll need:
--borax powder
--cornstarch (not pictured)
--warm water
--Elmer's glue
--cups, measuring spoons, food coloring, craft sticks for stirring, ziplock baggies for storage
Label one cup for the ball mixture and one cup for the borax mixture.
Mix 2 tbsp of warm water with 1/2 tsp of borax into the cup labeled "borax", stir until borax is dissolved. Add food coloring in this step.
(I'm not sure why Oliver looks so grouchy in this picture, ha ha.)
Pour 1 tbsp of glue into the cup labeled "ball", and add 1/2 tsp of the borax mixture, and 1 tbsp of cornstarch.
Let it sit without stirring for several seconds, then stir.
When the mixture becomes too stiff to stir, take it out and mold with your hands. The kids really liked this part!
After a couple of minutes of manipulation, the mixture will be very smooth, not sticky, and will be able to be formed into a ball.
Unfortunately, ours didn't bounce very much! We tried them immediately after, several minutes later, and a couple of hours later, and they never bounced very high off of the driveway. I guess we'll just try again some other time since my little scientists are always up for experimenting! :-)
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