Making Chicle Gum

The Glee Company has created a gum-making kit that they (and others) sell online. This was my husbands first attempt at "Science with Daddy."

The instructions come with it -- albeit brief. But there is great emphasis on the stickiness of this operation. Let me reiterate: THIS IS STICKY BUSINESS. Don't use grandmother's china or, in our case, a favorite coffee mug.

Above: Mixing melted chicle with powdered sugar. The kit comes with the chicle, corn syrup, powdered sugar, and two flavorings.

Below: Kneading and rolling

After this you cut it into gum sized shapes and chew away. Makes a lot!

This is an interesting project, but I am not sure that there was a lot of understanding going on. Ren had a good time and really likes chewing gum...but there was an attempt to connect it with rain forest habitat that I think the Wild Kratts do better. So...if you try this with your kids. Do the rain forest part for a week or so before hand. There are some interesting videos on the chicle extracting process. Google it.