Kids make sea slime in Cold Spring Harbor

Family fun and learning was on deck at the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum Monday afternoon.

The Flubber Film ‘n’ Fun event was held as an interactive way for children to learn about some of the slimy animals of the ocean. The event featured a scavenger hunt, a hands-on activity where kids made their own slime, and a screening of the Disney movie “Flubber.”

“I really like making this slime,” said 5-year-old James Young of his trip to the museum. “I love it, the scavenger hunt was so cool.”

The Whaling Museum is closed on Mondays during the winter months, but opens when there is a holiday for public schools.

“We plan educational activities for children and parents to enjoy on the day off,” said Alison Simmons, lead educator at the facility. “Today we’re talking about animals from the ocean that are slimy to the touch. It's fun and informative for the kids.”

An excited group of around 30 kids packed the activity room at the museum before the start of their scavenger hunt. Educator Nicole Kuffo taught the children about 10 different animals ranging from the commonly known oyster to the blobfish before sending them out to search for photos among the exhibits.

“Yuck,” said Mason Lockhart, 6. “I don’t want to eat an oyster. My mom does, though. Yuck.”

Once everyone had found all of the pictures on their checklist, the kids gathered to make their own slime to take home, made from a simple mix of glue, food coloring and borax. The event concluded with a showing of “Flubber” in one of the exhibit rooms.

“It was fun,” James said of his day. “I love the museum.”