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Home » Early Years Science » Preschool Science » How to make plastic milk

How to make plastic milk

Modified: Feb 15, 2023 · Published: Feb 18, 2014 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

Plastic milk was one of the first experiments I posted on Science Sparks when the kids were little. It was a lovely sensory experience for them at the time, but they obviously couldn’t understand what was happening; with that in mind, we revisited the activity with the addition of some food colouring.

I didn’t measure the ingredients at all.

To make plastic milk, you will need

  • Semi-skimmed milk
  • White vinegar
  • Food colouring
  • A sieve
  • Cookie cutter

Plastic milk instructions

  • Pour about a cupful of milk into a pan, add some food colouring if you want it coloured, and heat until bubbles start to form. Be careful and ask an adult to help.
  • Add a tablespoon of white vinegar and watch the solid and the liquid parts of the milk separate.
  • Filter carefully using the sieve.
  • Leave to cool and then mould as you wish
Curds of milk that have been separated from the way using white vinegar and a sieve. The curds are in a sieve and are blue from food colouring.

Plastic milk made from the curds of milk. The curds have been coloured blue with food colouring, made into a star shape and left to harden.

Why does milk separate into curds and whey?

Milk contains proteins and fats suspended in water. If the milk is fresh, the proteins move around freely. When the pH drops, the protein molecules stick to each other, creating lumps ( curds ). The liquid left behind is known as whey.

Curdling ( when milk separates ) is a sign that the milk has started to go off. The curds are made from casein. Casein protein chains in milk are usually curled up and dissolved, but the vinegar makes them take a different shape and form lumps that can be moulded into shapes.

This activity can also be found in my book GROSS SCIENCE!!

Milk ornament made the curds if milk. The image is from Gross Science Book
Image taken from Gross Science

More science experiments using milk

Learn about emulsions with a colourful magic milk display!

Find out how to make glue from milk.

Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emma (My Little 3 and Me)

    February 18, 2014 at 10:07 am

    This looks such fun. I really must try it with my little ones.

    Reply
  2. Theres Just One Mommy

    February 18, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Definitely got to try this one with the kids! Pinned!

    Reply
  3. Deb

    March 30, 2014 at 6:27 am

    You can make this edible (and more palatable) if you use lemon juice rather than vinegar. This is exactly how the Indian cheese paneer is made.

    Reply

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