4 April 2007
Mom’s a Sucker, Too
Posted by Michelle under: Child Development; .
I am a very tactile person. I shop with my hands, I hand knead bread dough, I have difficulty resisting touching plants in public places to feel if they are real. Perhaps because of this, I’m all for giving my kids tactile experiences.
Yesterday, I paid 3.79 for green “Moon Sand,” a relatively new product by Crayola. It’s basically wax covered sand. I didn’t buy it because my children begged for it. I must confess I simply wanted to feel it.
I can tell you that the children enjoyed it, outside. However, I have to tell you that the texture is almost exactly like… brown sugar. For half the price, give your children a bag of brown sugar and let them press it into small measuring cups and plastic cookie cutters. Yes, they’ll eat it, but think of the fun they’ll have and the money you will save. If you’re still queasy about wasting good sugar, just make it an educational objective. That should remove all guilt.
I think I’ll give them some brown sugar tomorrow. 
Any other tactile experiences we should try?
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7 Comments so far...
Addy Says:
5 April 2007 at 6:40 am.
Michelle,
When I worked in daycare, we could make “flubber” by combining white glue and liquid starch (and food coloring.) It’s tons of fun to mix the substances in your hands to form the unusual substance, and then it’s fun to play with the flubber….but this is one you wouldn’t want them to eat! Maybe this is a better project for older kids?
Michelle Says:
5 April 2007 at 10:24 am.
Addy,
Oh… a little starch can’t be that tasty! Is it toxic? We’re going to the store today. I think we’ll try it!
Does it feel like corn starch mixed with a bit of water?
Michelle
P.S. I’ve enjoyed your blog (click on Addy’s name to see).
Michelle Says:
6 April 2007 at 7:03 am.
Uh… confession time.
Yesterday for some inexplicable reason I didn’t go to the store until after lunch, and my kids were a wreck (i.e., mega disobedient and whiny). I bypassed anything nonessential. 
Sadly, I also forgot a few things essential, like diapers. So I’ll be going back to the store today or tomorrow. I’ll get the supplies then.
Addy Says:
6 April 2007 at 8:39 am.
I understand! 
In case you’re unfamiliar with liquid starch, it’s sold near the laundry detergent and stuff like that.
Michelle Says:
7 April 2007 at 9:57 am.
I mixed some flubber today. It was a little gloppy– do you do equal parts starch and glue? It was fun! Sadly, David had no interest in putting his hands in the stuff, but that might be because I had some competition. Lee is making a water rocket and they were testing pressure today. I’ll pull the stuff out later.
Addy Says:
8 April 2007 at 6:47 am.
I don’t remember the ratio, but it shouldn’t be gloppy…. Maybe just add the starch a little at a time?
