I love crafty things that hang! My kids love homemade things that hang and spin and twirl and sparkle!
Looking for a lesson on dissolving that results in something stunning to hang? Gelatine Suncatchers! The science is learning about dissolving. The craft is a beautiful hanging suncatcher as a result of the science.
Ages: Assisted from 3.
On your marks...
Moulds: Silicone moulds, shallow lids, ramekins, any vessel that will hold liquid and looks cool
1tsp gelatine
Boiling water
Food dye
Dropper
Stiring stick: toothpick, craft stick, kebab stick...
Get set...
Adult supervision is required around boiling water.
Go...
Place 1 teaspoon of gelatine into your chosen mould. Pour in hot water to just cover the base of the mould. Using the teaspoon stir until the gelatine has dissolved. Stir gently to avoid bubbles forming in the gelatine mix. Remove any bubbles that have formed as they will create holes in your sun catcher.
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| Chook is smelling the scent the gelatine gives off. |
Once the gelatine has dissolved, use the droppers to add small droplets of colour. Using a stirring stick, swish it through the droplets of colour. The gelatine suspends the colour allowing you to create a marble effect, swirls, ribbons. Of course, the over enthusiastic toddler will create clouds of colour! Which when dry are just as gorgeous too :)
Once you are happy with your colour work. Leave the mixture to dry in a safe place. It will need three or four days to dry completly out.
*Tip: I discovered that moving the tray to it's drying spot caused the colours mix even further, making the design muddy not that gorgeous marbling effect you see in the picture. If you can create your suncatcher where it is going to dry and not move it you will retain this beautiful marbling :)
You will know it is ready because it will start to come away from the edges of the mould, it feels hard and when you tap it, it sounds crisp.
Once dry, remove it from the mould, punch a hole through the top and tie some string through the hole. Hang where ever it pleases you and your kids :).
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Chook - 37 months
Links to the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia:
Children have a strong sense of identity: engage in a new experience and work collaboratively
Children have a strong sense of wellbeing: use their senses to explore the world around them, acknowledged for their part in the experience
Children are confident and involved learners: participate and have interest in the activity, encourage reflective thinking about what happened, transfer activity to dissolving other materials
Children are effective communicators: express ideas
That's really cool.
ReplyDeleteThe drying time is a kicker, but so worth the wait :)
DeleteGreat idea. I'll plan to make one a few days ahead so we can make and hang within same session.
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely fabulous. The girls and I will definitely be giving this a go.
ReplyDeleteHope you post your creations!
DeleteI love these Amie...would never have thought of something like that...so pretty!! Definitely have to try them! Does anything happen if they get wet again?
ReplyDeleteI was able to sprinkle some water on them with no effect :) Your question has inspired me to experiment on a few and see what happens! I'll be posting all about it soon :)
DeleteStunning! I couldn't help but pin the beautiful butterfly sun catcher onto pinterest. I've never seen this done before. It's so cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks for pinning :)
DeleteHow wonderful! I have to ask, are they flexible when they dry or do they dry pretty firm. Either way they are just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin :) Thank you for your comment. Yes, when they are dry they are stiff.
DeleteOh my word! That is the coolest way of demonstrating dissolving ever! My son is curious at the moment about the difference between dissolving and melting, this is perfect to help demonstrate. Quick question, will they break down if they get wet?
ReplyDeletePopping over from the Fun Sparks linky.
Hi! A quick experiment of splashing water onto them surprisingly showed they can withstand getting wet a little. Planning an experiment with Chook to really answer this query soon :)
DeleteGreat Idea! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in :)
DeleteWonderful idea! Going to try it!
ReplyDeletePop back and let us know how it went :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I love how you coloured the sun catchers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking to Science Sparks.
This is such a good idea! I'm wondering if they are so stiff after drying that they break easily? The way white glue dries hard and then breaks. I want to use them for something else...light box activities where they would be handled by the children. Putting the gelatin in ABC cookie cutter molds and using them with the light box...Thanks!
ReplyDelete