Easy Crafts for Kids to Make at Home By Waverley Gardens
Have you ever been stuck at home with the kids and not sure how to entertain them? As a part of Waverley Gardens’ At Home series, two really easy but super fun crafts for kids to enjoy and learn from have been created to help keep you and the kids busy. You can get all the items below from one-stop-shop, Waverley Gardens, or at your local supermarket or craft shop.
Easy craft idea 1. Crazy Slime
First up on our list is crazy slime. Slime has become a really popular DIY craft over the years. It’s a quick, safe to use recipe to make, and the fun extends on for hours. Not only is crazy slime exciting to play with, the science behind the craft is interesting for both kids and adults alike! We recommend when you make it, head outside, or make sure you use a table covering to help with tidying up!
For this craft, you will need:
¼ cup x clear school glue
¼ tsp x bi-carb soda
½ tbsp x of warm water
1 – 1 ½ x tbsp contact lens solution (must contain boric acid to active the slime)
DECORATIONS:
Whatever you like! We use: food colouring, glitter & pom-poms.
METHOD:
- Start with ¼ cup of clear glue in a medium size bowl
- In a smaller bowl, mix the bi-carb soda and warm water together.
- Slowly add the mixture to the glue. (TIP: Try to avoid pouring in the undissolved grainy bits from the bi-carb soda!)
- Add in 2-3 drops of food colouring and glitter – give everything a good stir, so the dye & glitter has mixed in evenly with the glue.
- Gradually fold in your contact solution, remembering to scrape down the sides. Begin with 1 x tsbp and then add more if needed. Don’t add too much or it will go clumpy!
- While the mix is still a little tacky, add in your extra decorations of pom-poms (if using) and keep mixing.
- When your slime becomes too thick to mix, check the consistency by pinching the slime with your fingers. If it sticks to your fingers too much, add a little more contact lens solution and start working the mix with your hands.
- Enjoy your slime!
Note: Keep it in an airtight container or zip lock bag and it will keep for a few days.
What happens?!
New chemical bonds are formed when you mix the school glue and contact solution together, turning them from liquids to a solid. The boric acid in the solution changes the position of the molecules in the glue in a process called cross-linking. A chemical reaction occurs between the glue and the borate ions and ta-da… you get SLIME. Cool!
Easy craft idea 2. Invisible Ink
Next up is the super fun and sneaky… invisible ink! Writing hidden codes and messages on paper that can only be accessed by heat. A fun activity that can keep you and the kids entertained for hours.
For this craft, you will need:
1/2 x lemon
A few drops of water Cotton buds
White paper
Lamp or other heat source (toaster, blow dryer)*
*if your kids are younger, make sure they are well supervised using heating items!
METHOD:
- Squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl and add a few drops of water. Mix well.
- Dip the cotton bud into the mixture and write a message directly onto the white paper. Try and do this quickly before your message dries into the paper, otherwise it’s difficult to see what has been written.
- Wait for the juice to dry so it becomes completely invisible.
- When you are ready to reveal your secret message or show it to someone else, heat the paper by holding it close to the light bulb or your heat source of choice. Be careful!
- Enjoy, you stealthy detective!
What happened?!
After writing your message, carbon-based compounds in the lemon were absorbed into the paper’s fibers. When heat is applied, the chemical bonds begin to break down and free the carbon, which then comes in contact with the air. This process is called oxidation, which results in the juice turning a darker colour.
Fun fact: You don’t always need heat for oxidation to occur, some fruits (like an apple or a pear) can turn brown from oxidation naturally. Have you ever munched on an apple and left it for a while to come back to a brown bite?!
We hope you’ve enjoyed these fun, craft activities. For more information on these tricks and video tutorials as well as easy and delicious recipes, visit our website: https://www.waverleygardens.com.au/at-home-with-waverley-gardens/. We upload a new activity each week!