Donna’s Day: Try this gloopy, gloppy surprise

Sun., May 13, 2007

Donna Erickson King Features Syndicate

A friend of mine is an amazing magician who loves to play tricks on the kids in the neighborhood. One afternoon, I noticed there was a crowd gathered around him watching with great anticipation a magic trick being performed. I arrived just in time to witness his grand finale: pulling a bouquet of flowers out of thin air. The surprise on the kids’ faces — and mine — was a sight to behold.

Here’s another wonderful surprise, and a bit of magic your kids won’t want to miss. It’s a natural transformation that leads to the most peculiar result. This slithery goop appears to be solid one moment only to ooze out between your fingers, over your wrist and down your arm seconds later. Once you make this concoction, let the school-age kids in your home or at your summer birthday party play with it. Then have a contest to give it a name. For starters, how about “Sublime Slime” or, our favorite, “Ectoplasmic Ick”!

Here’s the recipe: In a mixing bowl, stir together 3/4 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup water to form a thick paste. Add food coloring or liquid tempera paint for color, if you wish. You may need to add more water. Now, roll the goop in your hands to form a ball. Immediately, experiment with it to discover its unique properties. Squeeze it, hit it or let it drip through your fingers. Or, place it on a cookie sheet, press it flat, roll it in a ball or let it go. It’s amazing! If you have a bowlful, set plastic toys on it and watch them sink like they’re in quicksand.

For another surprising experiment, let it evaporate in the sunshine to discover cornstarch once again. Add water and you’ll have another batch.

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