How to Make Homemade Silly Putty
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Have you ever wanted to learn how to make Silly Putty? If you’re looking for a fun arts and crafts idea to do with the kids, you’ll love this easy recipe on how to make your own homemade silly putty!
(printable instructions at the very bottom of post)
Homemade Silly Putty Craft:
It’s been a busy summer, but we’ve still been making time for a few fun craft and kitchen projects.
On the last trip to the grocery store, I stopped by the kid’s art supply section for a bit of inspiration and stumbled across this pink glitter glue (they had green too.) I grabbed a bottle of each color, since I just happen to know a sweet little boy and girl who would love to make something fun with glitter glue…
(And of course, mama had something very fun planned for the glue.)
We were going to learn how to make Homemade Silly Putty!
This homemade silly putty recipe/experiment is made with just 3 simple ingredients!
- Borax
- Classic Glitter Glue (not washable)
- water
That’s it! If you can’t find the non-washable glitter glue, that’s ok! You can make your own glitter glue with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of fine glitter.
How to make Homemade Silly Putty
Tips:
- Type of glue will affect the results of the Homemade Silly Putty. (look for non-washable)
- If you can’t find this glitter glue, make your own with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.)
Ingredients needed for the homemade silly putty:
- 4 oz bottle of regular school glue– not the washable kind (our first batch was made with washable glue, but the washable glue didn’t work too well, so I recommend using regular, all-purpose glue. If you can’t find this glitter glue, make your own glitter glue with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.)
- Water (equivalent to the amount of glue you are using. )
- 1 tsp Borax
- 4 additional oz. of warm water (this is used to dissolve the borax)
Instructions for the Silly Putty:
Step 1:
Mix together a 1 to 1 mixture of glue and water. (I made a half size batch for this demonstration.)
Sir the glue and water together until completely mixed.
Step 2:
Dissolve 1 tsp of borax into the 4 oz (1/2 cup) warm water. Pour borax water into the glue mixture and stir.
Keep stirring, after a few seconds the glue will begin to “gel” up.
Step 3:
Pick up the glue glob and squish it around for a few moments.
It will turn into a pliable, yet firm substance: Homemade Silly Putty!
It’s so cool!
If you find the “silly putty” is becoming less pliable, put it in the microwave and heat it up for 5 to 15 seconds (depending on the amount of silly putty.) Store in a zip-loc baggie.
I enjoyed my little piece of silly putty too, lol. (Makes a great adult fidget toy!)
*As always, you’ll want to provide the appropriate supervision for different ages when working with borax.
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How to make silly putty
Materials
- 4 oz bottle of regular school glue- not the washable kind (our first batch was made with washable glue, but the washable glue didn't work too well, so I recommend using regular, all-purpose glue. If you can't find this glitter glue, make your own glitter glue with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.)
- Water (equivalent to the amount of glue you are using. )
- 1 tsp Borax
- 4 additional oz. of warm water (this is used to dissolve the borax)
Instructions
Step 1:
- Mix together a 1 to 1 mixture of glue and water. (I made a half-size batch for this demonstration.)
- Sir the glue and water together until completely mixed.
Step 2:
- Dissolve 1 tsp of borax into the 4 oz (1/2 cup) warm water. Pour borax water into the glue mixture and stir.
- Keep stirring, after a few seconds the glue will begin to "gel" up.
Step 3:
- Pick up the glue glob and squish it around for a few moments.
- It will turn into a pliable, yet firm substance: Homemade Silly Putty!
Notes
If you find the "silly putty" is becoming less pliable, put it in the microwave and heat it up for 5 to 15 seconds (depending on the amount of silly putty.) Store in a zip-loc baggie.
Hi. Tnx for sharing this imstruction. We dont have Borox in our country, what is it made of? Would you explain plz to find a subtitude.
sorry, this is the only way I know to make it.
Love the putty mine is purple glitter glue
Hi,i love the idea but is it possible to use something else instead of borax? (Its not allowed to be sold in germany)
sorry, i do not know the answer to that.
Great project! How long does the homemade silly putty generally last?
not that long, it will dry out after a while.
So we just made this!
SUPER easy BUT ours came out really hard, rubbery and breaks apart easily but unable to stick it back together.
Any ideas on what we did wrong OR what we can do differently?
We’re going to make more for my daughter’s science fair.
Thanks!
experiment with less borax maybe?
hello! if the kids are done with playing, can i use it again? can it be stored ? or do i have to throw it away and make another one if they want to play?
I am a kid so I will love it (PS I’m 10) . this is so YAY CRAFTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah, this is so clever and creative! It’s such a simple little recipe, and it really could provide hours and hours of fun! My son is only 15 months old, but I think this would be such a great little sensory activity for him! Thanks so much for sharing <3
I'm confused. The instructions says to mix the glue and water, then says to dissolve the water with the borax and then mix with glue mixture?? So do we dissolve the borax with the warm water first then add glue? Or mix glue and water then add borax?
Sorry for the confusion, I updated the instructions and hopefully they are more clear.
You need 2 separate amounts of water. One will be the equivalent of the amount of glue you use since you are making a 1 to 1 water/glue mixture. And the 2nd amount is used to dissolve the borax.
Is there an alternitive for Glitter Glue ? I really want to make this but don't have any glitter-glue! ( also can't be bothered to buy some )
yes, use the elmers classic/glue all add a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.
Hello I was wondering if you could help me. I made one batch that turned out perfect, but my second batch is a bit sticky. What do I need to add to fix that? Thank you. Mshammer76@yahoo.com
how much borax a whole box?/
Hi, its 1 teaspoon of Borax. (I updated the post so the amount of borax is listed with the ingredients.)
~Jamie
My borax mixture didn't gel up all the way with the glue mix. Did I do something wrong? I didn't end up with as much as you did.
By chance, did you use washable glue? My first batch was with washable Elmers glue, and it did not work either. I switched to the Classic Elmers glue and you can see how it turned out. Otherwise, maybe glue brands are different or maybe you needed more borax? It's hard to say without being there…
How fun! What a great idea to use glitter glue!
Hi,
Patashoo- i am also from the uk, and I bought some from amazon.
Can't wait to use this while babysitting! Love this experiment/activity!
This looks fun. In UK. Not seen Borax in shops so wondering if there's anything else I can use? Is Vanish the same?
I don't think so, borax is a natural mineral. You can read about it here: http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/f/What-Is-Borax.htm. You can make a slimier more liquid version with cornstarch: http://chemistry.about.com/od/letsmakeslime/a/Borax-Free-Slime-Recipe.htm
~Jamie
You can use liquid starch-Sta Flo brand works. You use equal amounts of glue stir in food coloring then add liquid starch and stir. Sometimes there will be extra liqud just pour it out and let the silly putty sit for 5-10 minutes then knead it for about 5 min.
Thank you! We’ll try this.
I love the glitter aspect. I just pinned this!
Awesome! I have seen that glitter glue at the craft store in lots of fun colors!
test
testing again
Oh my goodness this looks awesome! Do I have to share it with my kid? 🙂 This would make cute gifts for birthday and Christmas.
That is so cool. I love that you used the glitter glue! Thanks for sharing at Trendy Treehouse. xoxo Tara
Oh, how fun!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
I love making this with the kids – so fun! Pinned and featuring tonight!
This is such an awesome idea! With all of the nephews I have, this will definitely get used! Come share it at our On Display Monday link party
Britney @ The Princess and Her Cowboys {dot} com
Such a great idea! I'm pinning this for later – can't wait til my daughter gets to the age of helping me in the kitchen 🙂
I am so trying this with my daughter!! Looks so cool and easy! Your daughter is so pretty by the way! New follower!
Borax though. Is it OK to use that with something kids are making and playing with? This is what stops me making lots of stuff for the grand child, I don't know the science but worry about some ingredients…
Barb.
It is a very small amount of borox, and my children are old enough to not put things in there mouths, so I am not worried. You can read this excellent article and decide for yourself: http://www.crunchybetty.com/getting-to-the-bottom-of-borax-is-it-safe-or-not. And there are similar recipes using liquid starch that you can try out as well.
~Jamie
Borax is hard to find back home in philippines & even if I am here in Riyadh now still looking for borax but nothing seen ni grocery store.
I just finished making this with my girls they were so excited to make it and play with it!!!!! Thanks for sharing 😀
pinned! So fun!!
My son will love this one. The glittered glue is a great touch! Thanks for sharing
I really want to try this! I bet my son would love it!
How I love this kind of science experiment! Totally love this!! Thanks for sharing the finding!
What fun! What kid wouldn't love this! PS – you were before me at the Tickled Pink party 🙂
This is Great! I can't wait to try it out.
Leave to you to figure out how to make silly putty. You are so clever and talented. Great post. Have fun with that googlie stuff. Happy summer Your daughter is so pretty.
Oh, that's clever! My brat will love it, thanks!