DIY chewing gum

Chewing gum for hands (handgum) is a popular toy that helps to develop fine motor skills and relieve stress, similar to plasticine, because it is often called “smart plasticine”. Under the influence of heat, it begins to change its properties, it becomes soft and supple, which resembles a dough for modeling. But there are several differences between chewing gum for hands and ordinary plasticine: the plastic mass quickly loses its shape, but does not dry and does not stick to hands, and also does not stain clothes. It can be crushed, torn into pieces and stretched.

The properties of "smart plasticine"

When rolling into a ball, the handgam can be used as a bouncer, because it easily bounces off hard surfaces. If you leave the toy on a vertical surface, it begins to slide down, stretching out like a slime. Chewing gum for hands comes in various shades, including metallic colors. Some species glow in the dark, but such options require "charging" in direct sunlight. There are chameleon colors that change tone depending on the temperature of the hands.

The smell of this plastic mass can be neutral or fruity. "Smart plasticine" almost does not get dirty if it is not rolled on the floor. It is stored for a long time in a metal container, which comes complete, and does not lose its properties. Chewing gum for hands is used to relieve stress, develop imagination, and relieve fatigue. It helps to strengthen the muscles of the palms and pass the time with a long wait.

Features of magnetic chewing gum

One of the new products is magnetic chewing gum for hands. It includes special particles that work like a magnet. A set with a toy is usually accompanied by a special magnet, with which you can stretch the mass, giving it a different shape. If you place the handgam and magnet at a short distance from each other, after a while the mass will absorb a metal cube. And if you put a toy inside and lightly hit it with a hammer, the surface of the “clever plasticine” will spring together and there will be no pain. The fact is that the material retains ductility during smooth deformation. But if you hit it sharply with a hammer, the “clever plasticine” will scatter into small pieces.

How to make do-it-yourself chewing gum

There are several ways to make handgams yourself.

For the first option, it is enough to stock up with several ingredients:

• PVA glue;
• watercolor paints;
• sodium tetraborate;
• a container for stirring the solution;
• wooden stick.

Pour PVA glue into the container, add a little paint and start adding sodium tetraborate little by little, stirring the mixture with a wooden stick until the mass becomes sufficiently thick. Then the chewing gum for hands is moved into a bag and wrinkled with fingers. It can be used for at least 3 weeks. Sodium tetraborate is sold in pharmacies and radio stores. For staining, you can also use gouache, a food coloring. Aromatize the plastic mass, if desired, by adding a few drops of perfume or essential oil to the composition. Such a chewing gum for hands, as in the photo, is indistinguishable from the purchased "clever plasticine."

Gelatin Handgum

Sodium tetraborate is unsafe for babies who like to taste all toys, so for children under 3 years old there is another recipe for creating a handgam, which does not include this component.

The following materials and ingredients need to be prepared:

• distilled water;
• wooden stick for stirring;
• containers made of plastic and aluminum;
• greens;
• package;
• edible gelatin;
• plasticine.

The process of creating chewing gum for hands:

1. Pour 150 ml of distilled water into an aluminum pan and bring it to a boil.
2. Slowly pour gelatin into the container, constantly stirring the liquid with a wooden stick.
3. Reduce the heat when the mass begins to thicken, and cook for another 5 minutes, without stopping stirring.
4. Remove the solution from the heat and allow to cool completely, and then pour into a plastic container.
5. Separate plasticine into small balls.
6. Pour another 100 ml of water into an aluminum pan, bring to a boil and reduce heat.
7. Place plasticine balls in the container, constantly mixing the contents.
8. When the clay has melted, add the jelly mass to the composition, mix thoroughly and color the mass with a few drops of brilliant green. If desired, add glitter to the chewing gum.
9. Put the cooled handgam into a bag and mash it.
   

Now you can give "smart plasticine" to your child for games and the development of fine motor skills.