Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
There’s something irresistible about gooey things: slime that stretches and snaps, lava lamps that bubble and swirl, and moon sand that feels like it belongs on another planet. Making these things with the grandkids is one of those perfect, simple but magical activities that take only a couple of ingredients that you probably already have at home. Some of my favorite memories with the grandkids don’t involve big trips or fancy toys. They happen right at the kitchen table, sleeves rolled up, where curiosity, laughter, and a little bit of mess are always welcome.
When the grandkids come over, they know the rules are a bit different at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. It’s okay to make a mess, as long as we’re learning and having fun. Gooey projects are perfect for this. They invite hands-on exploration and turn simple ingredients into something fun!
Before we start, we cover the table, wash our hands, and talk about safety. Then the fun begins!
How about mixing up some slime?
Slime is always the biggest hit! The grandkids are drawn to slime for a mix of sensory, psychological and creative reasons. There’s something soothing about kneading it and stretching it between your fingers. The grandkids love experimenting, such as what happens if we pull it slowly or snap it quickly? I love watching their faces as they test, adjust, and proudly announce when they’ve made the “perfect” slime. It is creativity, patience and problem-solving all rolled into one squishy blob. Making slime is an art form for many kids. They can mix colors, glitters, scents, beads or foam, turning each batch into something unique and personal. Slime became a huge online trend through platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Watching satisfying slime videos, with popping sounds and slow stretches, tapped into an “oddly satisfying” culture, and kids love participating in that community. It seems like slime is everywhere these days.
Here is an easy, kid-friendly, classic glue slime recipe you can make up in no time!
You will need white school glue, baking soda, contact lens solution (containing boric acid or sodium borate) and food coloring. Pour about ½ cup of glue into a bowl and mix in ½ teaspoon baking soda. Add a few drops of food coloring or glitter. Then, slowly add contact lens solution (1-2 teaspoons), stirring until it pulls away from the bowl. Tell them to knead with their hands until stretchy.
Making a lava lamp never fails to impress. The grandkids love watching my old college lava lamp that I still have up and running on one of my end tables. The kids’ eyes light up when they see colorful blobs floating and falling like something from a science museum. They were excited to try to make a homemade one. It’s a terrific way to casually talk about ideas like “heavy and light” and why oil and water don’t mix without it feeling like a science lesson. Mostly, it’s about watching, wondering and saying “Whoa!” together.
For a DIY lava lamp, all you need is a clear bottle or jar (plastic is safest). Fill the bottle about ¾ full with vegetable oil (let it settle), then pour in water until the bottle is almost full. Watch how the oil and water separate. Next, add food coloring of your choice (5-10 drops is plenty). Point out how the color sinks through the oil before mixing with the water. For the action to begin, break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces and drop in one piece at a time and watch the “lava” bubbles rise and fall. To keep it going, add more tablet pieces when the bubbling slows. For fun variations, try using different colors or two colors for a swirl effect. Adding glitter will give a galaxy-lava look.
Moon sand is a quieter kind of magic. It looks like regular sand but sticks together when you squeeze it. We build little castles, scoop it into cups, and pretend we’re explorers on the moon. For younger grandkids especially, this is a wonderful sensory activity that encourages calm focus and imaginative play. Follow these instructions to make some awesome moon sand:
Grab a mixing bowl and add 8 cups of flour. Dig a hole in the middle of the flour and pour 1 cup of vegetable or baby oil into the hole. Work the oil and flour together with your hands until the flour has absorbed all the oil. If you want color, mix the coloring into the oil first before adding it to the flour. Keep mixing until the texture feels like damp beach sand… soft, moldable and slightly crumbly. Now, let them play! Use cookie cutters, cups, spoons, toy trucks… anything that encourages scooping and building.
So, if you’re looking for a way to spend meaningful time with your grandkids, don’t be afraid of a little mess. Grab some simple supplies, clear the table, and dive into the wonderful world of gooey fun. Their smiles are worth every sticky finger.
Photos by Karen Shadrach
