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Here are a few fun and educational ways of using Dri-Pak products:
Modelling Putty | Slime | Finger Painting | Exploding Volcano | Flower Preservation | Soap Making | Bath Fizzer | Christmas Decorations | Snowmen
Modelling PuttyMaking putty is easy and will give kids new skills as well as keeping them entertained.
What you will need:
Household Borax
White PVA kids glue
Food colouring (optional)
This will have a putty texture and can be moulded into shapes easily. This recipe makes a small, palm-sized amount:
1) Take one tablespoon of borax. Add some lukewarm water and stir until completely dissolved.
2) Make a 50% water 50% white glue solution. Take 1/4 cup of each and mix thoroughly.
3) In a sealable plastic bag, add equal parts of the borax solution to equal parts of the glue solution. 1/2 cup of each will make a cup of slime.
4) Add a couple drops of food colouring if required (if you are prepared for the mess).
5) Seal bag and knead the mixture.
6) Dig in and have fun. Remember to wash your hands after playing.
7) Keep your putty in the sealed bag in the refrigerator when not playing with it to keep it longer. Unfortunately it may eventually dry out or grow mould. Just throw it out and start again.
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A slimy kids’ favourite
To make slime that’s more suited to pouring and using with jugs and funnels, mix 25g of Soap Flakes with a litre of hot water and mix then leave to cool and it will reach a slimy consistency. You can even put the slime in a jar when they have finished playing with it and use it as hand soap.
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Finger Painting FunMaking textured finger paints is simple and uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen cupboard.
What you will need:
16 tablespoons of Soap Flakes
16 tablespoons of cornflour
Food colouring in various colours
A litre of water.
1) Firstly, add the cornflour to a saucepan and mix into a smooth paste with a small amount of the water.
2) Next, add the remaining water and the Soap Flakes. Supervise your children when gently heating the mixture on a low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens - do not boil.
3) Divide the mixture equally into airtight containers and add a few drops of food colouring to each container. You could also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to preserve the paint.
4) When the paint is cool, let your kids get stuck in with your children and create finger painting masterpieces!
Ensure surfaces are covered in newspaper and aprons are used to protect furniture and clothing. The paint will keep for 2 -3 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The mixture should not be consumed, and hands should be washed after use.
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To make oatmeal soap, you will need: 1) Add 7 heaped tablespoons of Soap Flakes and 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal to a microwavable bowl. The soap can then be used, or wrapped in tissue paper to be given as a present
Exploding Volcano
A great way of keeping kids quiet for a few hours is to get them to make an erupting volcano island.
What you will need:
White Vinegar
Bicarbonate of Soda
Red food colouring
A small plastic pop bottle.
Cardboard
Newspaper
Wallpaper paste
Poster paints
Clear varnish.
1) To make the volcano structure, securely glue a small clean pop bottle upright onto a flat cardboard base.
2) Make the volcano shape by covering the bottle with scrunched up newspaper.
3) Cover the scrunched up paper with layers of papier-mache made from wallpaper paste and newspaper.
4) Once completed, leave overnight to dry.
5) Paint the volcano the desired colour using poster paints, and seal using a clear varnish.
6) When the decoration is complete, simply fill half the pop bottle with White Vinegar and add a few drops of red food colouring.
7) Add a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda and watch the volcano erupt due to the reaction between the substances.
N.B. Always ensure that the work surface is protected with newspaper to avoid any stains, or alternatively, erupt the volcano outside.
This is a great way of keeping your kids amused, as the volcano can be refilled and used again.
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Borax in Bloom
Even with the increased popularity of plastic and fibre flowers, many people still prefer the real thing, preserved in a lifelike manner. Flower preservation has become a popular hobby. Certain flowers such as marigolds, roses and hydrangeas are readily available and the costs of additional materials needed are relatively inexpensive when compared to that of other hobbies.
What you will need:
Household Borax
Flowers to dry
1) Place your desired cut flowers in a box.
2) Cover with Borax.
3) Leave for seven days.
4) When the flowers are dry, the remaining Borax can be strained off and re-used for more flower drying or other household tasks.
These methods result in flowers that are less stiff than those preserved with the "hang and dry" method.
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Make your own Bicarb Bath Bomb
After a hard day at work, most of us can’t wait have a good soak to relax those aching muscles and have a bit of 'me time'. To make bath time that bit more special, why not use a fragranced home made bath fizzer? They are very simple to make, and make great gifts for friends and family.
What you will need:
Quarter of a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda
Two tablespoons of Laundry Starch,
Quarter of a teaspoon of essential oil (try jasmine, lemon or rose)
Three tablespoons of food colouring
Three tablespoons of olive oil
Two tablespoons of citric acid (available from chemists.)
1) First, sieve all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together with a spoon.
2) In a jug, mix together the wet ingredients.
3) Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring together as you go. As soon as it forms a solid lump, stop adding the wet mixture. It is not essential that it is all used, as too much will prevent the bath fizzers from binding together.
4) Next, roll the substance between your hands to make ‘ball’ shapes. Leave to harden overnight.
5) To add a decorative touch, wrap the bombs in tissue paper and tie with an attractive ribbon.
Store them in a watertight container in a dry area of the bathroom, and use when you fancy an extra touch of luxury at bath time.
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Soap making with a twist
Soap making is an increasingly popular pastime, and the results make great gifts. The beauty of the hobby is its versatility – many variants are available and you can experiment with scent, texture and shape. Oatmeal soap is a great exfoliator, is simple to make and cost effective.
7 heaped teaspoons of Soap Flakes
2 Tablespoons of ground oatmeal
3 tablespoons of water
Essential oil of your choice
2) Next, add 3 tablespoons of water and microwave for 2 – 3 minutes. You could also include your favourite essential oil to add a pleasant fragrance to your soap.
3) Stir the mixture and shape into greased biscuit cutters.
4) Leave the soap in a cool area to harden for a few hours.
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Festive Fun
Christmas Decorations with a Difference
Everyone likes to decorate their home at Christmas time, and although the shops offer an array of decorations, nothing beats ones that have been made by the kids. A fun way to involve them in the festivities is to get them to grow Borax Snowflakes. These long lasting, seasonal decorations can be hung in the window to catch the light, or as tree ornaments to sparkle under the fairy lights.
What you will need:
Dri-Pak Borax
Pipe cleaners.
String
Food Colouring
A Large Jar or jug
A Pencil
Boiling water
1) To make the snowflake template, cut a long piece of white pipe cleaner into three equal sections. Twist them at the centre to make a six-sided symmetrical snowflake shape.
2) Tie the string around the outer edges of the snowflake to create the desired pattern. This is where the kids can get creative and make different designs - why not make star, snowman, or even Christmas tree shapes?
3) Securely tie another piece of sting to the top of the snowflake and tie the other end to the centre of a long pencil.
4) Supervise the kids while they pour boiling water to a large jar or jug, and add three tablespoons of Borax to every cup of water. N.B. Add one tablespoon at a time and stir, to ensure the Borax is dissolved, but don’t worry if a small amount of powder settles on the bottom of the jar.
5) Add a few drops of food colouring to give the snowflakes a hint of colour.
6) Finally, Immerse the snowflake template into the Borax and water mixture, ensuring that it is completely covered, resting the pencil on the top of the jar to secure.
7) Leave overnight, and crystals will form on the snowflake - remove from the Borax solution and start decorating!
N.B. The solution should not be consumed, and it is advised that hands are washed afterwards.
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Not-so-Frosty Snowmen
Kids love getting creative, and what better way than getting them to make their own festive decorations? Making Soap Flake snowmen is simple and will keep the kids entertained.
What you will need:
Soap Flakes
Water
Twigs and pebbles to decorate.
1) Add a few of handfuls of dry Soap Flakes into a bowl.
2) Gradually add small amounts of warm water while stirring. The Soap Flakes should form a putty texture – ensure that it is not 'runny' in consistency. If so, add more flakes to thicken the mixture.
3) Mould the putty into 'ball' shapes to make the snowmen, arrange the pebbles and twigs to decorate
4) Leave overnight to harden.
To make them into tree ornaments, simply mould the snowman shape around a piece of string.
NB: Ensure small children are supervised while making the snowmen and the mixture is not consumed.
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