Plastic Heart made with Milk and Vinegar!

A “Plastic Heart made with milk and vinegar”? Yes, I can show you how to make plastic with milk and vinegar! I didn’t believe it either, but it works. Kids will be amazed and have fun with this craft and science experiment. At our Oma and Opa Camp 2015, I used this experiment. I found this on ScienceBuddies.

Use this idea to make Valentine hearts. ( or any shape you want) No need to run out and buy special stuff as the materials are right in your cupboard and refrigerator.

ll you need is…..

Materials:

Milk- 9 oz.  2% or whole

Vinegar- 4 teaspoons

Red Food Color – 2 drops (optional)

Small heart cookie cutters (mine were 2  1/4 and 1  1/2 inches across)

Straw or pen to poke a hole (optional)

Pin back or yarn for necklace (optional)

Glitter glue (optional)

Directions:

Add 2 drops of food coloring to  9 oz. of milk (use 2% or whole)  The color darkens a lot as it dries.

Heat 9 oz. milk in a glass for 2 minutes in a microwave or heat milk in a pan on the stove until hot, but do not boil!

When hot, but not boiling, add 4 teaspoons of vinegar. Stir the milk and it will start to curdle. When curdled, pour into a strainer. This will look a bit like cottage cheese.

I used a tea strainer after most of the water was out and squeezed more water from the curds.

Place the plastic mixture on paper towel. Fold the towel over and over to squeeze more liquid out.

Press the plastic down to uniformly flatten it out as much as possible. Take a cookie cutter and cut a heart shape from the plastic.

 I was able to squeeze the remainder of the plastic together to cut out another smaller heart. You’ll notice that the plastic has a little texture to it.

Now, let dry on a flat surface such as a cutting board or counter top for a few days.

If you want to hang the hearts or wear as a necklace,  put a hole in them while wet. Use the end of a ball point pen and do this everyday while it is drying as it shrinks back a little.

Be sure to clean your utensils right away so the plastic doesn’t stick.

After a few days and the plastic is completely dry and hard, put a layer of glitter glue on top. (optional) Just spread it on the heart generously and let dry. Now, the heart has a shiny side. If you’re hanging the heart, repeat again on the other side and let dry. String a piece of yarn through the opening and wear to school as a necklace. Another option is to glue a pin back on it. School friends will be amazed that you made a Plastic Heart from milk and vinegar!

This process is actually how many plastics are made. To see a scientific explanation, go to Science Buddies.

Did you learn something new? I was skeptical when I first tried it, but it worked. Amazing! So, I adapted it for Valentine’s Day. Any cookie cutter or food color will work. Think of animals, insects, or basic shapes to use for other cut-outs. 

Have fun!

Phyllis

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