We had a big tub of slime in the playroom (Lux soap flakes, water and a bit of colouring) which the children had a ball in …
… whooshing their hands and arms through it …
… lifting it up and letting it drop down in slimy strings
(“It looks like eggs, doesn’t it?” commented one child) …
… and creating thick, giant sized bubbles of course!
The ooziest, gooiest, slimiest FUN!!
We are Sherry and Donna and together we welcome you to ‘irresistible ideas for play based learning’, a blog designed to inspire and assist Teachers who follow a Developmental Curriculum, Tertiary Students of the Early Childhood Sector and Parents of children in the Early Years.
While teaching preschool together our mantra was “Make it Irresistible”. As it is not always easy to find exciting, irresistible and appropriate play based learning ideas for children in the early years, we would like to share with you some of the ideas our students have enjoyed over the years.
We hope you gain pleasure from what we have to offer. We invite you to view our complete profile here.
© Sherry Hutton and Donna Ridley-Burns, Melbourne, Australia - September 2009
That looks wonderful … can you tell me the ratios? I dont know where to get Lux in the US but I will be doing some research
Megan we don’t measure quantities with the “lux:” flakes we just pour them in! “Lux” (the brand name) is pure soap flakes which come in a box, which people use to wash their woolens. I’m sure you would be able to find something similar in the U.S. By the way the more soap flakes you add the thinker the mixture becomes! And you’re right It is wonderful!
This looks AWESOME! I too have never heard of this product, (I’m in Canada) or used soap flakes before, but the hunt is on!! I am always game for gooey sensory activities!
::: If you love gooey Crystal then you’ll LOVE this for sure!
I make my own laundry detergent, and the recipe calls for soap flakes. My tempera paint recipe also calls for soap flakes. Unfortunately, soap flakes seem to be pretty difficult to find in the United States.
Ivory Snow, which I remember growing up, stopped being made from actual soap back in the 1990′s and is now a detergent. As a substitute, I make soap flakes from Ivory bar soap by grating it against a grater or in a food processor.
Here are directions: http://www.ehow.com/how_5021399_make-soap-flakes.html
If you choose not to use Ivory, any pure vegetable soap (soap made with vegetable oil) should be fine – just make sure you are actually purchasing soap. Many “soap” bars are actually detergent bars (often labelled cleansing bars, beauty bars, deodorant bars, etc.), and will not work.
Do not use Fels Naptha bars or other bar laundry soaps if children are going to touch the end product – those have strong cleansing agents you wouldn’t want on little hands for any length of time.
::: Thanks for that Deena!
After having no luck with our toilet paper-soap sensory table contents, I think we’ll need to try this : ) Thanks for posting…great pics.
::: Have fun with it Stephanie!
)
they carry the lux soap flakes at the little grocery store near my house here in the US, but i am very sensitive to fragrance— does this smell like a GIANT tub of scented laundry detergent? thanks!
laura
::: I would describe the scent of Lux flakes as very sweet Laura … I too am very sensitive to fragrance.
