Today I’m sharing a simple, colorful activity that’s always a hit with kids: Homemade Glitter Gak. This soft, squishy compound is similar to play-dough but with a stretchier, bouncier texture. It’s made from common household ingredients and can be customized with food coloring and glitter for an extra fun finish. Because it’s made with glue, it’s not edible—so keep it away from little mouths. It’s great for sensory play, creative shaping with cookie cutters, or rolling into snakes and other shapes. Just be careful around clothing, as it can stick and stain fabrics.
SUPPLIES:
- One 4 oz. bottle of Elmer’s glue (liquid school glue)
- 1/2 teaspoon borax (found in the laundry aisle)
- 1/4 cup warm water
- Plastic cup for mixing the borax solution
- Mixing bowl
- Food coloring (gel or liquid)
- 1 teaspoon fine glitter
DIRECTIONS:
1. Gather your supplies so everything is within reach.
2. Pour the entire 4 oz. bottle of glue into a bowl. Fill the empty glue bottle with warm water, cap and shake to rinse out any remaining glue, then pour that water into the bowl as well. This helps get all the glue into the mix and thins it slightly for better consistency.
3. Add food coloring to the glue mixture until you reach the desired shade. Gel food coloring gives bright, vivid colors with just a small amount. Stir in the glitter thoroughly so it’s evenly distributed—this is what gives your Gak the sparkly finish kids love.
4. In a separate plastic cup, combine 1/4 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon borax. Stir until the borax is dissolved. Pour the borax solution slowly into the glue bowl while stirring. As you mix, the glue will begin to thicken and form strands. Continue stirring until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
5. When the mixture becomes stringy and begins to clump together, use your hands to knead it. Squish, fold, and stretch the Gak until it feels smooth and pliable. It may be a little sticky at first, but continued kneading will improve the texture. If it’s too sticky, wash your hands and knead the Gak on a clean surface; the friction will help it firm up.
Notes: This glitter Gak recipe is fun and sparkly, though it may be slightly less pliable than a basic gak made without glitter. You can experiment with different amounts of food coloring and glitter to find the look and feel your children enjoy most. Glitter glue was tested and found less easy to work with for this particular method, so plain glue plus loose glitter gives better control over texture and sparkle.
When playtime is over, store Gak in an airtight container to keep it soft and prevent drying. If it becomes crumbly or dry, a few drops of water and some kneading can restore some of its softness. Always supervise younger children during both the making and playing process, and wash hands after handling. Keep Gak away from carpeted surfaces and clothing to avoid sticking and stains.
We love making Gak because it’s quick, inexpensive, and endlessly entertaining. It’s a perfect project for rainy days, playdates, or a hands-on craft session that encourages sensory exploration and creativity. Try making several colors and let kids mix them together, shape them with cutters, or press in stamps for textured designs. If you give this recipe a try, tell me how it turned out and what color combinations you liked best. Have fun and enjoy the sparkle!