Project Construct
Science Recipes for Change in Objects Experiences
In this type of physical-knowledge activity, the cause of the changes in the objects is due more to
the interactions of the objects than the actions of the child. The child’s observation of the action
is primary and the action itself is secondary. In order for a child to observe the changes, he/she
needs to prepare the recipe and not just work with the finished product.
Clean Mud
Have children tear clean, white toilet paper into small pieces. Using a cheese grater, let the
children grate bars of Ivory soap (could use Ivory soap flakes) into bowl or large plastic pan.
Have the children add enough water to make the soap dissolve, then add the toilet paper pieces.
Knead mixture until a playdoh-like consistency is obtained.
Cornstarch Goop
Pour cornstarch into a plastic tub. Have the children add water slowly and stir with hands until
consistency is like thick syrup. If the children add too much water, just let it dry out a while until
the consistency is right. If the goop dries out overnight, just add more water the next day and
continue playing. Variation: Add the mixture to squeeze bottles and have children squeeze into
the tub or onto a tray. Notes: This mixture will spoil/mold if left at room temperature (or in the
sun!) for several days. Mixture can be stored in the refrigerator. Also, this mixture is very easy
to clean up when dry. Do not store mixture in squeeze bottles as it is difficult to remove once the
water separates. You may want to introduce this to children by allowing them to work with an
ear of sweet corn and squeezing the juice from the corn onto construction paper; the whitish
liquid contains cornstarch. Be sure to listen for (and record) the language children use as they
experience the mixture and the individual ingredients.
Goop (Silly Putty)
In the paper cup, mix equal amounts of liquid starch and glue together with a spoon or wooden
stick. When fairly well mixed, pour onto tabletop and knead until mixture forms a ‘silly putty’
type consistency. If goop sticks to tabletop or hands, add a few drops of liquid starch. If the
mixture is stringy, add glue. Variations: Food coloring may be added as you pour in the starch,
or worked in (slowly) afterwards. Another idea is for children to use water-soluble magic
markers to add color. Notes: It removes easily from smooth surfaces like table tops but has a
tendency to stick to porous items like paper and clothing. It is difficult to remove from fabric.
Store this mixture in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for maximum use.
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Project Construct
Ice Cream Recipe (Shake and Make)
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
Ice
1 gallon-sized plastic zip bag
1 cup milk or half-and-half
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-sized plastic zip bag
Fill the gallon-sized bag half full with ice. Add rock salt and seal. Pour sugar, mile or half-andhalf, and vanilla into the pint-sized bag and seal. Place the pint-sized bag into the gallon bag and
seal. Shake the bag for 5-7 minutes. Open the small bag and enjoy! Notes: you may want to wash
the small baggie before serving as the salt water may enter the ice cream mixture when you open
it. You may also want to have child-size mittens or gloves handy. Baby food jars can be
substituted for the pint-sized bags and coffee cans for the gallon-sized bags.
Mixing Colors in a Bag
Make Knox Blocks with Knox gelatin mix. Place a gelled Knox Block in a ziplock bag. Add a
few drops of food coloring. Zip bag shut and knead the bag. Watch the colors mix together.
Note: you may substitute clear hair gel for the Knox Blocks.
Play Dough (Cooked)
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup salt
2 cups water
1 teaspoon food coloring
Mix all ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. When
mixture forms a ball, remove it from the heat. Cool slightly and knead it for a few minutes on a
lightly floured surface. Store in a ziplock bag or airtight container. It will last for several weeks
without refrigeration. Notes: the dough is best heated in an electric skillet at children’s height.
Adult supervision is required during the heating phase. Children (and adults!) love to knead the
warm dough!
Play dough (Edible)
Mix equal parts creamy peanut butter and nonfat dry milk. Knead in a handful of dry oatmeal. If
desired, flavor with honey to taste. Notes: If children make their own portion of dough, they can
nibble while modeling and then eat their creation for snack. Remember not to let children eat
straight peanut butter because of the possibility of choking.
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Project Construct
Play Dough (Non-Cooked)
2 ¼ cups flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened koolaid mix
1 cup water
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cooking oil
Combine flour, salt, and koolaid in large bowl. Stir in cooking oil and water. Stir until mixture is
consistency of bread dough. Knead on floured surface for 2-3 minutes until firm.
Slime
Mix 1 ½ cups water with 2 cups glue and set aside. Mix 1 teaspoon Borax® or Borateem® with
½ cup water. Add borax mixture. Variation: add food coloring.
Sweet Slop
Mix three parts flour, one part white glue, and one part thick shampoo. Add food coloring if
desired. Makes a sweet-smelling mixture for modeling.
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Project Construct
Combined Physical-Knowledge Activities
(Both Change and Movement)
Activities that share elements of both movement and change experiences but can’t be categorized
as either one make up the third type of physical-knowledge activity. Making objects interact or
produce results depends on the unique properties of the objects.
Best Bubble Solution
1 cup water
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
2 tablespoons Light Karo syrup OR 2 tablespoons Glycerin
Bubble Solution
1/3 cup dishwashing liquid or baby shampoo
2 tsp. sugar
1 ¼ cup water
food coloring (amount varies)
Combine ingredients and pour into an unbreakable bottle. To blow bubbles, experiment using
plastic straws, pipe cleaners formed into loops, strawberry baskets from grocery store, spoons
with holes in them and any other items you and the children brainstorm.
Giant Bubble Liquid
½ cup Joy or Dawn dish detergent
2 tablespoons Glycerin
5 cups water; distilled is best
Mix the dish detergent with the water (measure carefully, it makes a big difference). Stir. Add
the glycerin (can be purchased in the pharmacy section of most stores), this makes more durable
bubbles. You can bend a wire coat hanger into a circle and wind a string around it. The size of
your circle determines the size of the bubbles. The string helps in getting the liquid to stay on
the circle. You can also use straws and string (tie a 2 ½ foot length of string through 2 straws and
unleash “square” bubbles). The trick is to dip you string and apparatus into the solution, then
wave it through the air. Break the bubble by flipping the apparatus up a bit. Plain straws make
good bubble pipes. Also try using the plastic strawberry baskets; they make lots of little bubbles.
It is fun to experiment with all different bubble makers. Big-time bubble making is a bit like
fishing. You’ll have much better luck in cool wet weather. Early evenings, nighttime, and early
mornings are often good. Just after a rain is ideal. Don’t through any leftovers away either. The
longer your solution sits, the better it gets.
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Project Construct
Dancing Popcorn
Fill a clear cup ¾ full with vinegar. Add ½ teaspoon baking soda. Drop in a few kernels of
unpopped popcorn. Watch as the kernels rise and fall. Variations: Try substituting club soda for
the vinegar and baking soda. You can also try using other objects like buttons or pebbles.
Milk and Color Explosion
In a small shallow dish, pour a thin layer of whole milk. Sprinkle a few drops of food coloring
onto the surface of the milk. Dip the tip of a toothbrush into a small dish of Dawn Liquid
detergent. Touch the detergent-dipped toothpick into the color puddles in the milk. Watch the
colors explode and mix! Note: the fat content of the whole milk is required for this to work.
Racing Powder
Fill a shallow dish with water. Sprinkle talcum powder over the surface of the water. Dip
toothpick into Dawn dishwashing liquid. Dip toothpick into center of water in pan. Watch the
powder race to the sides of the pan. Variation: Try this same experiment with pepper instead of
powder.
Water Kaleidoscope
Fill a small glass with equal potions of water and oil. Add several drops of food coloring and
screw the lid on tightly. Move the jar back and forth slowly to watch what happens as the
ingredients separate into colorful patterns.
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Project Construct
Childhood Experiences with Nature
1. Think back to your outdoor play as a child. List some of the things you did that were special
to you.
2. Now tell why you think you remember these experiences? Why were they valuable? What
did you learn from them?
3. Does your work with young children allow them to participate actively and independently
with nature and natural objects? If not, why not?
4. How can the elements that you valued in outdoor play be incorporated into indoor activities?
Copyright © 1989 Kathryn Zellich
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