Exploration #5: Moo-vellous Milk Plastic

Make your own eco-friendly mouldable plastic using simple household materials and create your own jewellery!

At A Glance

Time:

30 minutes (plus drying time)

Mess Level:

Medium

Supply List:

  • Animal derived milk
  • Vinegar
  • Sieve
  • Water based colours
  • Toothpick
  • Kitchen paper/teatowels
  • Cookie cutter/mould
supply list

Check out the video

Watch the full guide of how to create casein plastic on our YouTube channel

QUICK-START INSTRUCTIONS

Pour your milk into a pan

If making coloured plastic, add some water-based colour. Mix well.

Heat the milk on the stove gently until small bubbles appear – it should be around 50-60 deg C. DO NOT BOIL

Take the milk off the heat and add 1 tbsp of vinegar

Stir the milk – it should separate into plastic curds

Once completely separated – sieve out the liquid and then mash the curds well to remove the rest of the liquid

Squeeze the curds with kitchen paper or a tea towel. The more liquid you remove the better it will dry

Roll the plastic into beads or press into mould

Leave the dry for at least 48 hours!

Click the button below to download our Essential Field Guide which includes step-by-step photo instructions so you can create your own moo-vellous milk plastic with ease!

Download Field GuideDownload

Want some free bonus materials?

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Our Mission Packs contain any templates you will need for the exploration – plus bonus activities for your child to try their hand at. All Mission Packs are in a printable pdf format – with additional parent-friendly Discovery Notes to help you explain the science to your Junior Adventurer.

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P.S. Want to keep the momentum going?

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