Ever since I created our recipe for Foaming Dough, I've been bent on figuring out a way to make Magic Foaming Stars. Though it might seem like a straightforward thing, it was anything but! I made lots of stars that just did not foam well. I kept trying because I won't post anything on the blog until I think it's perfect. And these? PERFECT.
After you set them in your shallow tray, colored foam shoots out from them. It's pretty amazing to watch.
S experimented with moving them around. The colored foam continues to shoot out for quite some time, so she got to make interesting colored patterns by moving them as they foamed.
Seriously, how beautiful is this? The pictures do not even do it justice. You've gotta try this one!
When S asked what they were called, she honed in on the "treasure" part of the name and began chipping away with her fingers to see what she could find.
This yellow star had released some of its treasure already. Searching through the cold and fluffy rainbow foam for it is definitely part of the fun.
Bingo! Found one!
All in all a SERIOUS amount of fun and oohing and aahing was had. And all for just a few minutes of prep ahead of time. See - I told you they're finally perfect! :)
To make your own Magic Foaming Treasure Stars, you will need:
Baking Soda (aka Sodium Bicarbonate for International readers)
Vinegar
Water
Dish Soap (aka Washing up Liquid for International readers)
Liquid watercolors (or food coloring, but food coloring may cause some temporary hand staining)
For each star (since I wanted to make a rainbow), I mixed 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of liquid watercolors and 1 teaspoon of water until the color was evenly distributed (if you are using food coloring, use a few drops and 2 teaspoons of water). Then I packed about half of the mixture into the star mold and added some plastic gems I got at a craft store to the center of the half-filled star. After the plastic gems were added, I packed in the remainder of the "dough" and smoothed the top. I repeated this process for each star. Once the mold was filled, I placed it in the freezer overnight.
The next day I grabbed a shallow bin and filled the bottom with a few inches of vinegar (this equated to several cups of vinegar, but don't worry about getting it exact - you can always add more if you notice the foaming reaction slowing down) and then added a few squirts of dish soap (roughly 2 teaspoons) and veeeerrry gently swished a few times to mix the two. Then I took the stars out of the freezer, popped them out of their molds and added them to the vinegar.
For the BEST foaming reaction, be sure that the vinegar level is lower than the top of your stars. If you notice that the stars are shooting less colored foam (or stop altogether) as time goes on, gently add some more vinegar to your container. As long as there is enough fresh vinegar, the stars will create a HUGE mountain of foam for playing!
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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child's parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child's pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.
This is truly magical! will have to wait for a good time to do this! Lovin it!: )
ReplyDeleteThank you, growinghearts123!!! :)
DeleteOh, these are beautiful!! I love all your ideas :) This one is on my "to do" list! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Anik!!! :)
DeleteI don't think these could be more gorgeous!!! Thank you for being a perfectionist ;).
ReplyDeleteThank you soooo much, Katie! Happy to help with my crazy. ;)
DeleteThese are super cool, Asia!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trisha!!! :) :) :)
DeleteI always love your ideas-and the beautiful way you display them. What I love even more is that you use such simple ingredients, our stars are drying already and I can't wait to see the girls enjoying them tomorrow! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Victoria!!! I hope you have a blast with them once they're good and frozen! :)
DeleteThank you, Josi!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteJeez Louise you come up with the coolest ideas! Sharing on FB and pinterest! I need to pick one of your fizzing things to try with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Laura!!!! And I love all of your fine motor toys!!! I am totally making those lids for X! And my vote is for trying these or the foaming dough. They are my faaavorites. :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful experience for little people! I can't wait to try this one. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lauren!!! :)
DeleteI just put a tray in the freezer. My 4 year old helped me bury the treasures (popping linking beads). Do you think 5.5 hours will be good enough to play with it tonight or should we wait overnight (she is super excited)?
ReplyDeleteSo cute!!! I *think* it will be long enough, but not positive. If you can sneak in and try to pop one out that will give you your answer. It should be nice and solid and easy to get out in one piece. I hope you both love them!!!! :)
DeleteComme toujours c'est superbe !!! Je pense avoir tout ce qu'il faut à la maison pour essayer cette activité avec les filles ☺ Bises de France !
ReplyDeleteFantastique! J'espère que vous avez du plaisir!
DeleteThis sounds like so much fun! I will want to get in and play too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mama Carmody!
DeleteWe love this! Thank so much for sharing. We made our foaming planets,too. xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo fun!!! :)
DeleteOne more thing! I'm curious which of the liquid watercolors you used? I have the tropical assortment, but would like to buy the individual colors to make this beautiful rainbow. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe used the Glitter Liquid Watercolors from DSS for this one! Hope that helps. :)
DeleteSuch a vibrant idea! I'm gonna use this idea at my placement. However just one question. Do I have to keep it frozen up until the time to use them? Or can I freeze them overnight and then take them to my center? Im just wondering if the stars will lose their effect.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Well, we do this at home, where our freezer is right there! I would say if you need to transport them, they'll probably be fine if you pack them in a cooler with some ice/ice packs to keep them cold. Hope that helps!
DeleteWow. They are so cool Asia.You are great parents!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice!!! :)
DeleteThese are absolutely brilliant! I'm so glad I found your website, I am soon to be step-mum to a brilliant little boy and he adores doings these activities!
ReplyDeleteYay! You two will have so much fun together! :) :) :)
DeleteCan't wait to do this at cousin camp. One question...how long can I keep them in the freezer? Like to do as many things in advance as possible. Thank you for a great fun idea to do with my grandkids.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess a few weeks would be fine -- I'd suggest sealing the top of the container you're freezing them in with foil or plastic wrap. They'll slowly dehydrate over time in the freezer so you'd just want to prevent them from losing so much water that they get crumbly....
DeleteSuch a beautiful idea, one question though, what type of vinegar do you use? Wondering as surely the smell of vinegar would be overpowering and remain for a while and would it not hurt their hands as they play?? Really want to try this but need to get that but right! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJust white vinegar. If the smell bothers you, you can add kool aid powder or essential oils (peppermint works very well). I suppose if you have cuts or sores or if you have very sensitive skin the vinegar could bother you. We've never had a problem with it though! Hope that helps. :)
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