How to Make Slime - A Safer Recipe for Kids - S&S Blog (2024)

Slime is the new popular activity for kids! In just 5 easy steps, you can join in on the fun. Experiment with different colors and add fun items like glitter and beads! You can also use this as a sensory experiment for kids that need tactile and visual stimulation.

There have been some concerns about using Borax as an ingredient in making slime, so we’ve got an alternative that is safer for kids – contact lens saline solution!

Slime Ingredients:

• 12 oz of Elmer’s White School Glue or Clear Glue
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Baking Soda
• 2 tablespoons of contact lens saline solution (or more, add as needed)

(NOTE: This is for a large batch. You can divide the amounts by 3 and make a smaller batch, especially if you want to test the recipe first. The contact solution binds the ingredients together.)

NEW! This Elmer’s Magic Liquid makes it easy to turn liquid glue into slime!. Combine 1/4 cup of Magical Liquid with 4-6 oz. of liquid glue and stir. No need to buy contact solution and baking soda with this all-in-one formulation! It’s safe, washable, and non-toxic! One bottle makes up to four batches of slime.

Additional items:

• Storage container/dish pan
• Liquid Watercolor
• Glitter
• Beads
• Gemstones(nonadhesive)

How to Make Colorful Slime

1. Pour 12 ounces of glue into a container to mix your slime in.
2. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix together.
3. Add drops of watercolor paint. Mix together again. You can even add glitter if you’d like. It says inside the slime!
4. Add 2 tablespoons of saline solution.
5. Mix the saline solution into your slime until it starts to form together

TIPS:

• The less paint/color you add, the more pastel your slime will be.
• The less saline solution you add, the more flexible your slime will be.

Now you have slime! Mold it into different shapes and have fun with different color options. You can store the slime in plastic containers to use later, but it’s best and most fun to play with right after it’s made.

Slime Tips:

If your slime won’t stick together, try adding more contact solution so it bonds together better. If it is too sticky, you can add more baking soda. If it is too hard and not flexible, you may have added too much contact solution.Knead the slime and work it through your hands really well to see if it loosens up. If not, we recommend making a smaller batch of slime with 4 oz of glue and 1/2 tbsp baking soda, and then 1 tbsp of contact solution. Mix together and add more contact solution if needed.

Sensory Experiments for Slime

Making slime is alsoa great activity forsensory stimulation! Here are a few fun experiments.

AddTexture:

Add gems, beads, glitter, or poly beads for an even more exciting sensory experience! Choose different colors and shapes to create a uniquefeeling and help withtactile stimulation. Also, if you use clear glue instead of white, you can see the items and not just feel them! TIP: It’seasiest to add the items before you mix in the salinesolution.

Add Shapes:

You can giveyour slime different shapes using cookie cutters! We made several different colors of slime and added some shapes to it, like hearts and circles.If you don’t press down completely, the shapes fade after awhile. Have fun with it and play around with the designs!

Testing Ingredients:

Experiement with different amounts of each ingredient. Ask kids to answer questions as you go. What happens when you add more than 2 tablespoons of saline solution? Does adding more or less baking soda make a difference in how the slime feels?

Mixing Colors:

The great thing about slime is you can use any colors you want! To create a marble effect, first complete all 5 steps with one color. Then, choose another color to make and during step 5 as you add the saline solution, knead the finished slime into it. We did this with pink and blue!

PLEASE NOTE: Adult supervision is recommended for this activty. Although contact lens saline solution is a safer option than Borax, it does still contain Boric Acid, and should not be ingested.

Check out some great photos and feedback on Pinterest from others who have tried this recipe!

Wacky Putty

Don’t have contact lens solution or baking soda? No problem! As an alternative for slime, make Wacky Putty using clear glue, liquid starch, and food coloring. View the video tutorial from Purex on our website.

Sensory Balls – DIY STEAM Activity

7 DIY Superhero Crafts for Kids

How to Make DIY Galaxy Shirts