# Kid's "Potions" kit ingredient ideas? Safe but interesting stuff **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 23, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624 "2018-06-23T15:34:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/41 "2018-06-24T08:40:04Z")
No cool name for it, but tonic water looks clear in room light and glows blue under black light. Might be something to be done with that. Add some white powdered laundry brightener /whitener and you can intensify the glow. Get some of those dehydrated silica gel balls. They start out the size of BB’s but swell to the size of shooter marbles in water. When you leave them in water, they blend so well as to be invisible. Maybe they could be the eggs of some invisible creature. Also, if you hydrate them in tonic water, they will glow in black light like the tonic water. Might serve as a way to detect them. ---
**Author:** ![Ionizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5daacb/32.png) [@Ionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ionizer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/42 "2018-06-24T10:45:20Z")
Since it appears there will be vinegar included, you might consider bits of limestone (or similar) that kinda fizz up when the vinegar is poured over them. [Example](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swzjKsuTJas) that is just over a minute long. Also, it might be rewarding to search youtube for things like “household chemical tricks” (etc). I’ve seen lots of neat stuff there. It can be productive to look around the suggestions shown after video finishes, too. Very cool you are doing this, **emm**! ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/43 "2018-06-24T12:37:00Z")
Not necessarily cheap and probably be too dangerous to use unsupervised. Do your own research and make your own judgement. Flameless ration heaters are available for military MREs. Add a bit of water and they dramatically heat up, producing hydrogen gas and other, stinkier components in the process. I’m not sure of the specific chemical formulation but at least some of them use a finely ground alloy of iron and magnesium. This powder is mixed with ordinary table salt. Add water and the salt dissolves. You now have bits of iron/magnesium alloy floating in an electrically conductive solution, essentially forming thousands of tiny, short circuited batteries. ---
**Author:** ![spidercat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@spidercat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spidercat)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/44 "2018-06-24T12:49:39Z")
First of all, you’re an awesome parent. When I was a kid my mom got ahold of these glitter stars (like confetti) she would hide around the house and I was super in love with finding them. Maybe something like that with a story about them being real stars pulled from the sky. But along the lines of pool testing chemicals, pet stores sell all kinds of reactive agents for use in fish tanks. That could be fun. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/45 "2018-06-24T12:54:43Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > ^ I was going to suggest that, too. Third mention, one-third credit. Um… [math break] 333,333 1/3 points for you! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/46 "2018-06-24T13:02:03Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > It may be too complicated, but some basic household ingredients can be used to extract DNA. Use a glass rod to stir the final separation and the DNA sticks to the rod like some sort of disgusting snot that kids seem to think is funny… Ha! Not suited for the potion kit, but I think we may try that as a separate activity sometime. Snot is indeed HILARIOUS and DNA is cool not only because of its association with superheroes/supervillains but also because we watch [Cosmos](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos:_A_Spacetime_Odyssey) with the kid as a treat on pizza nights, and there’s DNA right in the opening credits (and a few of the episodes). Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/47 "2018-06-24T13:10:39Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Some mineral oil… > Gelatin sheets or powdered unflavored gelatin… > White glue… > Nail polish… Hmmn, all interesting ideas I may develop, though I may skip the nail polish, as it would inevitably end up in his hair or something. At least four points each for three out of four suggestions, plus an awesomeness bonus for so many at once, means you get… at least twelveteen points! Maybe more! Could be huge, could be huge, of course I would never say that, other people are saying that, very big, very very big points here is what they’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/48 "2018-06-24T13:11:18Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Strictly an outdoor spell: > > “This white pill can turn an ordinary bottle of pop into rocket fuel.” Drop a Mentos into a 2-liter Coke/Pepsi. If he hasn’t seen this one yet, this is where Mama Wiz can [del]have some fun soaking the child in cola[/del] demonstrate _her_ powers. Yes, this is DEFINITELY an outdoor experiment! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/49 "2018-06-24T13:17:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Speaking of Elmer’s glue, you can mix it with borax to make slime. Important note: There are two different formulas used in Elmer’s glue. You need the one that is _not_ labeled “washable”… > > … you also want ooblek… :dubious: OK there, buddy, I’m on to you now. You’re an eight-year-old boy, aren’t you? You want to conspire with my kid make an utter mess of my house and/or yard. Don’t deny it. Well, I’m on to you. We’ve done slime here, and we’ve done ooblek, and I have the Superfund sites to prove it, and I am wise to those tricks now! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/50 "2018-06-24T13:24:25Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > How about those hydrogel moisture beads? … OK, definitely getting some of those — I saw some at the dollar store recently — > [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > …Maybe they could be the eggs of some invisible creature. Also, if you hydrate them in tonic water, they will glow in black light like the tonic water… — oooh, and these are great embellishments. The two of you jointly earn supermaxbonus points! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/51 "2018-06-24T13:32:36Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Strictly an outdoor spell:“This white pill can turn an ordinary bottle of pop into rocket fuel.” Drop a Mentos… > [@Chronos](#): > > Note: The pop in question really does need to be Diet Coke… > [@glee](#): > > Yes, this is DEFINITELY an outdoor experiment! Another great standalone! Maybe especially good for Independence Day, when it doesn’t get dark until well after the appetite for fireworks kicks in and an appetizer is called for. I hereby mention you all honorably. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/52 "2018-06-24T13:37:59Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > If you can find some phenolphthalien, mix some with water and a bit of household ammonia. Keep it in a bottle. When outside the bottle, the ammonia will evaporate out of the solution, and the fuchsia color will disappear. Disappearing ink! Seriously cool, but I would not yet trust this particular eight-year-old with anything that might make a real mess if it leaked. His room gets messy to the point of impassability, and things go _crunch_ when you try to walk to the laundry hamper. I’ll put this on the list for a couple of years from now. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/53 "2018-06-24T13:57:52Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > > [@california\_jobcase](#): > > > > If you can find some phenolphthalien, mix some with water and a bit of household ammonia. Keep it in a bottle. When outside the bottle, the ammonia will evaporate out of the solution, and the fuchsia color will disappear. Disappearing ink! > > OMG, I haven’t thought of that in 45+ years, since I had a chemistry set as a pre-teen. I remember something about lemon juice being used for “un-invisible” ink–you would write your secret message in LJ and pass it over an open flame and it would appear. Or the paper combusted. Feel free to correct my memory. You don’t even need the open flame. When we did the lemon juice writing as kids, we’d wave the paper in front of a light bulb to heat it. (An incandescent bulb, of course, because that’s all there was.) ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/54 "2018-06-24T14:27:45Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > … I remember something about lemon juice being used for “un-invisible” ink–you would write your secret message in LJ and pass it over an open flame and it would appear. Or the paper combusted… > [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Plastic milk.](https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/milk_into_plastic) > [@Ionizer](#): > > … vinegar … limestone … > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > … Flameless ration heaters … More excellent suggestions for future kits! > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > You don’t even need the open flame. When we did the lemon juice writing as kids, we’d wave the paper in front of a light bulb to heat it. (An incandescent bulb, of course, because that’s all there was.) And, of course, we don’t have any of those left in the house. I can’t offhand think of any similarly safe source of mild heat available to us in the summer. But in the winter, he could hold it up to the woodstove, so I’ll mark lemon-juice ink down for the Christmas refill. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/55 "2018-06-24T16:31:19Z")
You’ll be back for more advice–he’s going to need a _familiar_, eventually. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/56 "2018-06-24T16:38:32Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > You’ll be back for more advice–he’s going to need a _familiar_, eventually. 😉 :eek: Also: > [@emmaliminal](#): > > [ul] > [li]cream of tartar ( **Base** )…[/li][/ul] > [@Chronos](#): > > … **cream of tartar** , lemon juice, and cola ( **acids** )… Special Ribbon for Gentlest Correction of a Teeming Millionth goes to **Chronos**! ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/57 "2018-06-24T17:08:26Z")
Let’s see, for approaching the bleeding edge of acceptable, how’s about… •[Simulated Mars Soil](http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=1350)! Or, if you happen to have a black light, •[Invisible ink!](http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_43&products_id=1206) Or •[Luminol](http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=156)! Also available in [handy spray form](https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Forensics-LLC-PFLUM2OZ-Luminol/dp/B005DSFQJ4)! ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/58 "2018-06-24T17:10:21Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > Do you or a friend have a hot tub or a pool? Most folks that have one have containers full of test strips… Sorry, missed this earlier. I think his neighborhood friend’s family has a little inground pool (where the neighborhood kids bring all the frogs they liberate from the swamp down the street) and they might have some test strips for it, not sure. If not, I’ve seen pool strips at one of those cheap-stuff Big Lots stores in town. Great idea! I might even actually splurge on regular pH strips and put in something written, something pseudomagical/quasiscientific about acids and bases (after the apparently necessary Wikipedia refresher course for me :smack:). How many points is that? Gosh. Lots! Maybe a jillion? ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/59 "2018-06-24T17:20:24Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > •[… Simulated Mars Soil](http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=1350)! > •[Invisible ink!](http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_43&products_id=1206) Or > •[Luminol](http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=156)! … [ul] [li]:eek:[/li][li]:eek:[/li][li]:eek:[/li][/ul] Either I figure out how to get them (safely) into this kit batch, or we get these all for side projects. ONE ZILLION POINTS FOR YOU ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624/60 "2018-06-24T18:00:00Z")
> [@spidercat](#): > > When I was a kid my mom got ahold of these glitter stars (like confetti) she would hide around the house and I was super in love with finding them. Maybe something like that with a story about them being real stars pulled from the sky. I have some tiny glitter stars that I think I will label in just such a fashion! Hmmn, weren’t there animate fallen stars or something like that in _Howl’s Moving Castle_? Multiple literate realities for the win! BTW, the kid at least claims to still believe in the Tooth Fairy. She leaves very tiny (6-point font), chatty, formal letters under his pillow, along with the single golden dollar coin she gives for each tooth, and she also accidentally leaves a little trail of the powdery glow-in-the-dark glitter that it turns out is simply a byproduct of her profession. I’m pretty sure that glitter is why he still believes — either because it’s sufficiently convincing, or because it’s just too awesome to have it under your pillow to risk revealing disbelief. > [@spidercat](#): > > But along the lines of pool testing chemicals, pet stores sell all kinds of reactive agents for use in fish tanks. That could be fun. Oooh, I’ll look into that! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624.md?page=4)