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Well, it's the weekend. So why not let the kids make their own silly putty.what you needPVA glue (15ml, or 3 teaspoons), talcum powder (5 ml, or 1 teaspoon), food colouring (a few drops), water (25 ml, or 5 teaspoons), Borax solution (5 ml, or 1 teaspoon), a glass tumbler, a plastic bag, some paper towels.what you doMeasure the glue into the tumbler (it doesn't have to be too exact). About 15ml (three teaspoonfuls) is enough. The more glue you add the more silly putty you'll get. Next add about 25ml (5 teaspoons) of water to the tumbler and sprinkle in one teaspoon of talc. Stir thoroughly with the spoon to mix the contents of the tumbler until you have a smooth grey paste. Break up any clumps of talc that form at the sides. Now add drops of the food colouring until you get the colour you want, but be careful not to add too much. You now have a tumbler full of colourful, watery glue. It's time for the magic ingredient: borax. Make a borax solution by stirring a heaped teaspoon of borax into a glass of water. Add a teaspoonful of this borax solution to your tumbler of silly putty and stir. Once the borax is mixed in thoroughly, take the spoon out and pull the putty off it. Work the solid material with your hands for a few minutes. At first it will be quite slimy, but soon it will become smooth and dry. Have the paper towels ready so you can wipe any colour and goo off your hands. You should lay out your plastic bag to protect the work surface. And there you have it: silly putty. Borax powder is readily available from pharmacies and hardware shops, but you must be careful with it, as it is harmful when swallowed. Always wash your hand after handling Boraxtopic linkWHAT EXACTLY IS BORIC ACID< AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6814.0the properties of silly putty http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=8140.new#new