It seems that today's children are no longer surprised by anything. Newfangled gadgets, toys with many functions are different from those that their parents had in childhood, like a modern boat from a wooden boat.
But lately, parents are paying more and more attention to what this or that game gives in terms of development. Some of them allow you to explore the world, developing children mentally and physically.
And if, in addition, such a game can be made independently with the participation of a child, then this is a huge plus. On the Internet, you can find many such toys. One of the simplest and most interesting is the so-called non-Newtonian fluid. So how do you make a non-Newtonian fluid at home and what do you need?
What is a non-Newtonian fluid
Before moving on to the answer to the question: “How to make a non-Newtonian fluid at home with your own hands?” - it will not be superfluous to understand what it is and how it works.
Non-Newtonian fluid is a kind of substance that behaves differently at different speeds of mechanical action on it. If the speed of external influence on it is small, then it shows signs of an ordinary liquid. And if it is acted upon at a higher speed, then it is similar in features to a solid body.
The advantages of such an entertaining game include:
- Possibility and ease of self-production.
- Low cost and availability of ingredients.
- Cognitive opportunities for children.
- Sustainable (unlike some plastic games, it does not contain harmful substances, and the composition is known to you in advance).
Fun & Education
What could be better than doing something interesting and unusual with your child? Moreover, this lesson will be really useful not only for children, but also for adults. The simplicity of how to make a non-Newtonian fluid at home allows you to create interesting entertainment in just a couple of minutes. The result is a game that will captivate the whole family. In addition, it develops motor skills in children.
If you hit a non-Newtonian fluid quickly, it will behave like a solid body and you will feel its elasticity. If you slowly lower your hand into it, then it will not encounter any obstacle, and there will be a feeling that it is water.
Another positive side is the development of the imagination. With various types of impact on the liquid, it behaves very interestingly. If you put a container with it on a vibrating surface or just shake it quickly, then it starts to take a very long time.unusual shapes.
Don't forget the educational benefits too. Such a liquid allows in practice to study the simplest foundations of physics - the properties of a solid and liquid body.
How to make a non-Newtonian fluid at home: two ways
The composition of the mixture directly affects its properties. Thus, one should know how to make a non-Newtonian fluid at home. The recipe is very simple. It has only two main ingredients - water and starch. The last ingredient can be either corn or potato. The water must be cold. Everything is thoroughly mixed. Everything is ready!
For a more liquid state of the mixture, the proportion of water and starch is taken 1:1. For harder - 1:2. If desired, you can add food coloring to it, then the mixture will be bright.
And how to make a non-Newtonian fluid at home without starch? This recipe is a little more complicated, but just as effective as the previous one. First, water and ordinary PVA glue are mixed in proportions of 0.75: 1. Separately, water is combined with a small amount of borax. After that, both compounds are mixed and thoroughly mixed.
Both methods produce a non-Newtonian fluid, but the first is much simpler and the most popular.
More water and starch…
Knowing how to make a non-Newtonian fluid at home, you can, by increasing the proportions,make a sufficient amount of such a mixture and fill it with, for example, a small children's pool. A depth of 15-25 centimeters will be enough. Then you can jump, run, dance on the surface of this liquid without falling through. But if you stop, you immediately plunge into it. This is great fun for adults and kids.
In Malaysia, an entire swimming pool was filled with non-Newtonian fluid. This place immediately became very popular. People of all ages enjoy having fun there.