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Today we are talking about something that I really love to make and play with. Its called Gak (my mom showed you how to make it years ago).
Its like play-dough, but its more fun and tastes worse, so definitely don’t stick it in your mouth, because you use glue to make it. The kind we made today also bounces more than the normal Gak, but we wanted to add glitter this time to make Homemade Glitter Gak! You can make a snake with it, or you can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Just don’t get it near your clothes because it stains and sticks to your clothes.
SUPPLIES:
– ONE 4 oz. bottles of Elmer’s Glue
– 1/2 tsp. Borax (found in the laundry detergent section of the store)
– 1/4 cup Water
– Plastic Cup
– Bowl
– Food Coloring
– 1 tsp. fine glitter
DIRECTIONS:
1. Gather all your supplies together.
2. Begin by emptying the one bottle of glue into a bowl. Then fill bottle with warm water and shake. Empty into your bowl.
3. Add some food coloring. I got Betty Crocker Neon Gel Food Colors and they worked FAB!! The Neon made it look awesome, but I ended up squeezing almost half the tube into the mixture because I wanted it to be really bright. Add your glitter and mix well. Set aside.
4. Add 1/4 cup warm water to your cup. Add 1/2 tsp. borax to the water cup and mix until borax dissolves. Then pour this mixture into your glue bowl. Start stirring and you will notice how it starts becoming stringy. Keep mixing by using your hands and squishing around. You will notice after a few minutes that it has become pretty gelatinous. Keep working with your hands until it’s pliable.
NOTE:
We tried making this with Glitter Glue too but thought it was harder to work with. We also think that this recipe for Glitter Gak is fun, but it’s not as pliable as the regular Gak recipe. 😉
We LOOOOVE Gak!!
I really think you’ll like this recipe. 😀 Let me know how you like it.
For more fun activities you can try: Edible Playdough
I think your kids will love to make these this summer!
Hi our gak didn’t work did we do something wrong IMG_2545.JPG
Several have asked how yours came out clear vs opaque but I couldn’t find the answer. Help please ???? Mine also came out way too watery and the batch wouldn’t stay together. It breaks apart vs becoming stretchy. Suggestions?
I’m not sure how to answer that. Any time I make this, this is just how it turns out. Are you following the recipe exactly? I wish I knew how to help?
If you use the clear glue all you need to do is put your gak in its storage container for a coule of days… The opaque look comes from really tiny bubbles incorporated when the initial mixing was done. The more stirring and kneading the more bubbles. If you have a strong looking glass you can see the bubbles. Just leave your gak in a warm place in it’s airtight storage container – it may take up to two days depending on the temp and stiffness of your gak. Some food colours (especially the high end ones) might be opaque, check the lable.
Does anyone know how to remove this goo from clothes? Fabrics?
Oh, no!! I’m sorry! I wish I knew :/ Anyone else??
Vinegar gets gak out of clothes great!
Thanks for the tip!!
SO MUCH FUN!
Just did a test run with my kids and it worked out so well…fun for all. We are using this as a Birthday Party craft. Now my only problem is figuring out how to get the kids to keep it in the containers once it’s made.
How fun!! I just remind them that it needs to get put away right, if they don’t want it ruined and want to keep playing with it. But, when they are playing with it..I’ll just put down like parchment paper or even just on the table. Have fun!!
This was so cool loved making it!!!!????
Yay!! We love making this stuff! Thank you so much!!
You are amazing at finding fun but still simple activities that are so fun for other people! THANK YOU!
Oh, thank you so much!!! We love this stuff! Glad you find ideas on here 🙂
Can you store this for later after using it ?
I want to make it for my niece but wondering
if I can make it ahead of time or not…
Yes, you can. We put it in tupperware and it stays for quite a while 🙂 Have fun!
Thanks for the homemade goo recipe! Ours turned out opaque, too, and I’d love to make some of the translucent stuff like in your pictures. I guess I’ll try to find some clear Elmer’s glue. My 3-year-old is mesmerized! 🙂
You’re welcome!! It’s great for keeping kids occupied! Thanks for letting me know!
I made this for my 20 year old Navy girl to work out her stress!! It turned out fabulously!! My question is…
The image you used is of a ‘clear’ gal and mine is not clear. I used Elmers white school glue, can I use Elmers clear glue and stil end up with the same outcome??
Thank you!!????
This is cool! i found that if i used to much food coloring, it would stain my hands if i used it to much. I used less and it worked out a lot better!
Isn’t it fun?! Yes, you only need a few drops:) So glad you made it and thanks for sharing!!
Can I use these ingredients with a three year old who has very s snit over skin?
I haven’t had an issue with any of my kids and the ingredients. It shouldn’t be a problem or harmful to your 3 year old. If they are sensitive to any ingredients, you can look on the label of the borax and glue to be safe:) It is super entertaining!!
It was information ale
Well, I made some but it didn’t turn out like the picture, is it a certain type of glue?
I us e the glue it said.
Mine has turned into just a big bowl of liquid, is there anything I’m doing wrong? Really want to make it for the nursery I work at!
Hi great post! I was just wondering how much this recipe makes.
Thanks,
Jennifer
How do you store this after use? We made a ton of it and put it in jars to play with later and when we went to use it, it was hard on top and thenjoy under the top was a sticky gluey mess.
can you use elmer’s glitter glue to get the clear effect? i noticed that the regular glue gak is rather opaque, but the picture shows a clear colored glitter gak.
Yes, you can use the glitter glue to make it more clear, but every time we’ve made it’s not as pliable as the regular Elmer’s glue gak. 😉
The photo on this page must be from using clear glue… is that right? You state that you just used elmer’s washable school glue, but that results in an opaque gak. I just wanted to be clear on that point. I want mine to look like the gak in the picture 🙂 I’m buying in bulk for a birthday party craft… I found clear washable glue in a gallon jug , but brand is “Colorations”, not Elmer’s…. that probably doesn’t make a difference, do you think?
I’ve gotten some elders liquid clear glue at Staples and it turned into this awesome thing where I could blow the ginormous bubbles by wrapping it around a straw, so think that if it had glitter it would look pretty cool
How AWESOME is that !? 😀
Mine is a ball of fairly non pliable stiff that doesn’t hang together very well. What stdid I wrong?
Did you use Elmer’s Glue?
Which Elmers glue is it? We have a few varieties available to us and not sure what to get. Thanks
It’s the Elmer’s Washable School Glue. 🙂
Lily – at what point do you add the glitter?
Thanks for this, it looks like it will be SO much fun!
Carol
Right after the food coloring. 🙂
Have you ever used the glitter Elmers glue? Would that work or do you have to have the white glue?
You can use the glitter glue, but I feel like the gak is less pliable than using the regular glue and adding glitter. 😉
Is it sticky
No, it is easy to handle and play with. It does come off easily 🙂
Hi Lily!
I love how simple this lovely recipe is! Well done! I will definitely be going and reading more of your blog posts! Thank you
This looks like so much fun!! Thanks for sharing 🙂