How We Make GAK at Camp Orion!

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This week at Camp Orion campers are exploring senses during a week of experiential discovery. Many of the children who attend The Orion School and The Orion Camp have sensory integration disorder in addition to other neurobehavioral conditions including ADHD and Asperger's. It is only natural that we offer activities that address these developmental differences for all the programming we do.  


The process of making GAK gave campers an opportunity to explore and learn about the sense of touch with new textures, improve sensory processing, address bilateral coordination development, and help executive functioning by following multistep directions. Of course campers did not seem to notice there was any benefit to this activity other than having FUN!

Many campers asked if they could make GAK at home --- below are the directions for how to make this always popular non-Newtonian polymer ;)GAKTips: Follow the direction in the order stated. This is important when making GAK. I am not sure why, but if you do it in any other order or change things up in any way, the GAK does not form the correct consistency and ends up being a sticky mess. Do not double GAK….more is not better and will impact the end result negatively. Also note that GAK is terribly difficult to get out of fabric and hair.



Materials Needed:
Elmer’s glue – This is the standard brand. Any variation will be close, but just not cut it J
food coloring – Neon food coloring makes a particularly striking GAK
20 Mule Team Borax – This is a soap which is found in the laundry detergent section of the supermarket. There is no substitute.  
two bowls – Use containers that you do not use for food.
measuring cup and teaspoon – Use measuring cups and spoons that you do not use for food.

Directions:
Part One:·       Mix together until combined -
1 ½ cups warm water
2 cups Elmer’s glue
food coloring
Part Two:·        Mix together until dissolved -         4 teaspoons of Borax
         1 1/3 cups warm water

Directions: 1)    Pour Part One into Part Two
2)  DO NOT MIX. There will be liquid around the edges. This is fine.
3)  Use hands to lift a handful of GAk out of the container and knead to form a mass. The more you knead it the less sticky and more solid it will be come. There will be liquid remaining in bowl that you can throw away.
4)  You can pull, stretch, roll, cut and squish GAK! 
5)  Store in a sealed plastic bag or container.