TOS REVIEW: Buckets-O-Fun

Buckets-O-Fun Yuck!

Last month we were sent 3 samples of Buckets-O-Fun Yuck products through the TOS Homeschool Crew. We were given Chunky, Saucy, Sticky and Snowy Yuck. The prices of these are as follows:

Chunky: 

1 lb- $16; 5 lbs- $70; 50 lbs- $400

Saucy: 

1 lb- $18; 5 lbs- $80; 50 lbs-$475

Sticky: 

1 lb- $20; 5 lbs- $90; 50 lbs- $600

Snowy: 

1 lb- $20; 5 lbs- $90; 50 lbs- $600

*you can request a free sample (one per person/organization) to see if this is something you would like to use for your school or activity- contact orders@buckets-o-fun.com *

Let me start by saying these products are not for consumption! And I don't tell you that because I don't think that as consumers you would understand that- I tell you because it could happen that someone, or ahem something, could accidentally ingest these. I want to direct you to the safety sheet for Yuck products right now! That way when your cat does decide to eat a piece of Chunky Yuck, you'll know what to do ;)

Now, onto the review!

Just what is Yuck?

Buckets-O-Fun Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) classified it as a Crosslinked Polyacrylamide. The paper that I received says that Yuck products are a polymer. They remind me of the absorbent stuff in the center of diapers actually.

The first one we decided to use was the Chunky Yuck. The reason: This stuff takes forever to hydrate completely! The directions call for 24 hours to fully hydrate. And they aren't kidding!

With our samples we did receive sheets with activities to perform with the Yuck products. Buckets-O-Fun has accessories- such as tints, balloons, and shooters- that can be purchased to supplement (and probably make your Yuck experience so much more fun!) but we didn't have any of these. What we did was to do observations (science like) of the Chunky Yuck. First we measured how much Yuck there was when it was dry. We did this with both measuring spoons and a scale. The kids kept track of their observations on a piece of paper. The paper that comes with these samples does have good questions to get you started with observations. 

The kids loved this stuff!! Here are some photos of them using the Chunky Yuck.

It took well over 24 hours and we only used 4 cups of water. At about 27 hours (and 6 cups of water added) we decided it was not absorbing any more and drained the water into a measuring cup. The last 2 cups had not been absorbed. Ours didn't get as large as ice cubes but it was pretty neat to watch them. 


Wish I could show you the piece we had set out to dry so that we could observe it in reverse but no, that is the piece that our cat decided was a midnight snack. Here I will refer you once again to the safety sheet for Yuck products.... (yes, she was fine- the Chunky Yuck was as hydrated as it was going to get- and I hope she chewed it well!).


Okay after all of that, I was thinking clean-up would be difficult. This stuff leaves a funky residue on the side of the dish you use to hydrate it in. However, if you use a bit of vinegar in some soapy warm water, it is a breeze to clean up! We dumped the water outside to prevent this stuff from getting in our pipes. 


We don't have photos of the other Yuck products because honestly, we've not gotten to try them out. We live in a house with a small kitchen (with carpet in the 'dining room') so wanted to work with the other messier Yuck products outside. Of course, now that is October, the weather is not cooperating! I can imagine the others will be even more fun than the Chunky Yuck. My kids loved the Chunky Yuck!


At Buckets-O-Fun you can find other fun products such as 

• Finger Rockets (currently unavailable- soon!)
• Rubber Animals
• Beach Balls and Belly Bumpers
• XForce
• Water Balloons, Water Tag
• And More

Bottomline:
The Yuck products are fun and great for sensory exploration. We liked them for 'science' (who am I kidding, we just called it science!). The game suggestions sent with the samples look like a lot of fun. These would probably be great for a Youth Group or a summer activity where there are a lot of kids. I really want that XForce.... The other products are probably not something we would buy usually. And the Yuck products most likely fall into that category. For 1 pound, though, of any of the Yuck products the price is reasonable. I would recommend this to others if they are looking for something like it. 


Check out what others have to say about this at the TOS Homeschool Crew.

*Disclaimer: I received this product free from Buckets-O-Fun through TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no compensation for this review. All opinions are my own and I was only required to give an honest review. See more Disclosures/Policies.*