Homemade Silly Putty
My internet friends - you need to try making your own homemade silly putty! It is actually way better than the store bought stuff. Messy to make? Yes. Fun for kids? Double yes. What could be more fun than making your own, customizing the color, and watching it form in front of your own eyes? Just two ingredients (three if you want color!) so it’s crazy cheap to make. Let’s make some!
What You’ll Need
I’ve tried this recipe before with Elmer’s school glue and it did not work. Like it was a huge messy fail. And that’s super disappointing! My advice is to get the right stuff…I was able to find both of these supplies at Walmart. You could also find them online or at craft stores. I’ve included some affiliate links below (no additional cost to you).
- Multi-Purpose Glue (Elmer’s is awesome, but NOT the school kind - the all-purpose is what you need)
- Liquid Laundry Starch (Sta-Flo is my pick)
- Food coloring (optional)
Step 1 - Mix Glue and Starch
This recipe is the epitome of easy. You mix equal parts of liquid starch and glue (for example - 1 cup liquid starch with 1 cup glue). Then let it sit for five minutes. No touching!
Step 2 - Add Food Coloring
This step is optional. If you opt to skip the food coloring - you’ll get lovely snow white silly putty. If you add color, it’s a little messy until it works in (and it sort of looks like a brain!), but the end result is awesome.
Step 3 - Remove the Silly Putty and Drain
Now take the freaky glob of silly putty and place it on a paper towel. Let it drain for five more minutes.
Step 4 - Knead Baby!
Now the fun part starts - you’ll want to knead this mess until it gets nice and worked together. It’ll feel like silly putty - not too runny, not too stretchy. Continue kneading for about 5-10 minutes.
The Finished Product
And that’s it! Remember getting the Sunday comics and pressing silly putty onto them? This stuff handles that like a champ. It stretches, bends, makes mustaches, you name it.