amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

dreamseeds · 03-08-2006, 11:06 AM

Got this off our homeschool list-

FLOAM - basically Flubber with foam beads

*Put 1 Tablespoon of white glue in a small ziploc bag (Elmers white glue, washable school glue won't work)
*Add 3 Tablespoons of water
*Add food coloring of choice (I read that the cake decorating colors work best, so we used those, I used way too much and all of our hands are purple, A hint I read said Windex will clean them - Not! Just try a little of the coloring to start - it's the texture of the stuff that is fun, not so much the color. Next time, I think I will just leave it white and they can paint it when it dries.)
*Mix/knead
*Add about 3 ounces of foam beads (the kind they put is squishy neck pillows and such) (dixie cup size -we guessed) We went to Wal-Mart and looked for something with the foam beads. We found some pillows, did a price comparison and decided to get the $10 soccer ball. We now have enough foam beads to make about 200 batches of Floam! The bigger Wal-Mart might have a something smaller with the beads. The beads are technically just smaller versions of the stuff they fill bean bags with, and you know how bad that stuff is to pick up, well this is worse! It sticks to everything! Even if you vacuum it up, it will live in your vacuum forever. I finally got wet paper towels and tried cleaned up as much as I could. Be prepared!
*Add 1 teaspoon of Borax (in the laundry aisle - it is a natural product and used as a skin softener in many natural cosmetics - I say this because some people online were freaking out about using Borax - I guess it sounds scary)
*Knead very well
*Let sit five minutes
*Knead again and take out of bag. If it is really sticky (1 of ours was, 2 were fine. I think the kneading may have been the difference) roll it in more beads, knead and let sit again.

I read that a lot of people have problems. We didn't really, but if we did, I am not a chemist or the science type and would just throw it away and go buy the stuff. If it doesn't work for you maybe you could tweak the recipe.

choleblack · 03-09-2006, 04:40 AM

Oh my DD is going to LOVE that. She's been dying to get some floam for the longest time. Making our own will be even more fun.

Chole

DixieChick · 03-09-2006, 08:20 AM

KristaRae, you are my hero. My 6 yo has been BEGGING for this stuff for months! I am goign to buy borax today.

also, to get the color off, use some of your soap. The homemoade fatty soap gets it off really well for me.

amyorama · 03-09-2006, 08:39 AM

Thank you Kristerae!

DH and I jokeabout the commercial: The Floam on the kid's bike is more expensive than the bike itself!

MamaNurse · 03-09-2006, 01:12 PM

Sounds like lots of fun. I love to make home-made anything. But, what in the heck is FLOAM?

We don't have tv, so maybe that's why I don't know.

Momof6 · 11-03-2006, 03:14 PM

thanks! I could use that at the preschool! (not to mention it will save me $ since I buy it for our ds)

Michelle

cristian_bella · 11-06-2006, 09:47 PM

Oh, wow!!!! Thanks, Kristerae! Ds is stoked!

hadalamb · 11-07-2006, 03:23 PM

I'm really scared to make this. Would small stuffed animals have those kinds of beads? I'm afraid of getting the wrong kind of beads. Plus I just tend to suck at anything crafty.

My friend mentioned going to a thrift store to get something w/the beads for even cheaper! I don't think it would be very cost effective otherwise for me, b/c I really have no plans on making 200 batches of the stuff.

If I had to pay $10 for something plus make the batch myself (knowing I'll likely screw it up) I'd just as soon pay $20 for guaranteed results. BTW, ebay does have floam for a bit cheaper than the TV price.

What would you store these in? Just ziplock bags? I'm thinking stocking stuffers here.

2guysand1gal4me · 11-07-2006, 05:37 PM

We had one of dd's neck pillows get a hole in it so we just dumped the beads in a big ziplock.
I do suggest making this outside if you can then you don't have to worry so much about all the loose little beadies.