Little Miss Muffet – Making Curds and Whey

Modified: Feb 15, 2023 · Published: Nov 21, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

“Little Miss Muffet Sat on her Tuffet Eating her Curds and Whey”

Cartoon image of Little Miss Muffet sat under a tree with a spider next to her.

But what are curds? This experiment turns milk into a solid which sets hard when left to dry.

How to make Curds and Whey for Little Miss Muffet

Skimmed milk

White vinegar

Microwave-proof bowl or a pan and hob

Strainer/sieve

Milk and white vinegar on a counter with a glass bowl.

Instructions

Add four teaspoons of white vinegar to one and a half cups of skimmed milk.
Microwave the mixture for about a minute or heat on the hob/stove.
After a minute, the milk and vinegar will separate into a liquid (the whey) and a solid (the curd).
Strain the liquid and squeeze curds into one big lump. Squeeze out all the leftover liquid.

Remember to ask an adult to help.

Curds and whey - little Miss Muffet activity for kids

Allow the curds to cool and then mould into a shape.

Make curd and whey like Little Miss Muffet

Leave the curd shape to harden. We call this plastic milk, but it’s not really plastic!

What are Curds and Whey?

The vinegar creates a chemical reaction which makes the milk separate into two parts, a solid (the curds) and a liquid (the whey.)The protein in the curds is what makes it act like rubber.

If you enjoyed this Little Miss Muffet activity, you’ll love our Humpty Dumpty and Incy Wincy Spider activities too!

Make curds and whey like Little Miss Muffet. Fun kitchen science and nursery rhyme science activity for kids #littlemissmuffet #nurseryrhymeactivities #scienceforkids #kitchenscience

Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

More Chemistry

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.

Comments

Pati @ A Crafty Escape

November 22, 2011 at 12:41 pm

Very cool! My kids would like this!

Found you on abcand123learning’s Show & Tell.

Reply
- Multiple Mummy
  
  November 23, 2011 at 11:46 am
  
  Thanks for coming to take a look. Have a go, it is so easy!
  
  Reply
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

November 23, 2011 at 12:51 pm

what a fun experiment! i know my girls would find this interesting. thanks for sharing!

Reply
- ScienceSparks
  
  November 23, 2011 at 10:32 pm
  
  Thanks you. Let us know if you try it. x
  
  Reply
Ashley

November 23, 2011 at 3:31 pm

We did something very similar to this in my 7th grade science class and to this day I can’t eat cottage cheese (it looked too much like it).

Reply
- ScienceSparks
  
  November 23, 2011 at 10:32 pm
  
  Ha ha! I hope we don’t put anyone else off! x
  
  Reply
maggy,red ted art

November 23, 2011 at 7:44 pm

If you add enough vinegar, could you make something that won’t go off – i.e. could this be a new “type of playdough” could you make something with it? I have random thoughts, you don’t really have to answer that.

Thank you for joining Kids Get Crafty!

Maggy

Reply
Renu

February 19, 2014 at 4:19 am

Hi. I love you site.

The Plastic milk that you have made is also known as paneer. Its a sort of cheese used in Indian cooking especially in the northern regions. We use lemon juice or vinegar to separate the milk. Its then, kept in a cheese cloth and hung, of which the whey drains out and the end product is allowed to become firm.

Reply
G.SREENIVASULU

November 29, 2018 at 6:02 am

what chemical reaction occurs between milk and vinegar?

Reply