How to make silly putty without glue
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According to the Silly Putty website, the iconic substance began in a lab in 1943 as a failed formula for synthetic rubber. Seven years later, Peter Hodgson packaged the stretchy goo in a plastic egg and christened it Silly Putty.
Since then, many parents and teachers have concocted recipes for a homemade version of the putty. Unfortunately, most of these mixtures contain glue, which can be messy or even toxic. You can make a clean, safe silly putty instead.
Use a whisk to mix the flour, salt and cream of tartar together in a mixing bowl. Separate just over 250 ml (1 cup) of this mixture into a second mixing bowl.
- According to the Silly Putty website, the iconic substance began in a lab in 1943 as a failed formula for synthetic rubber.
Combine the water and vegetable oil in a small cooking pan.
Slowly blend the dry ingredients into the cooking pan. Whisk the mixture until it is lump-free.
Use the wooden spoon to mix the remaining dry ingredients into the pan. The mixture should have a soupy consistency.
Cook the mixture over a medium heat until it reaches a doughy consistency.
Remove the mixture form the heat. Allow the dough to cool for one hour on a sheet of aluminium foil.
- Combine the water and vegetable oil in a small cooking pan.
- Use the wooden spoon to mix the remaining dry ingredients into the pan.
Store your silly putty in an airtight container.
References
Tips
- Customise your putty by adding food colouring to the water and oil mixture.
- To keep your silly putty fresh and germ-free, place three drops of hand sanitiser into the airtight container before storage.
Writer Bio
Amanda Flocke is a freelance writer and artist based in Houston, Texas. Her broad range of expertise includes green living, interior decorating, woodworking and primary education. Flocke holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of North Texas.