How To Make Really Slimy Slime

Making sticky, gooey slime can be a ton of fun for kids and adults alike. The result of a reaction between sodium borate, water, and a polymer like Elmer’s glue, slime is soft and stretchy, but not sticky.

Slime is mostly solid (if you throw it onto a wall, it’ll land with a plop like any other hard substance), but it’s sort of a liquid as well (if you dump it slowly into a container it’ll pour basically like thick batter). What could be more fun to play with?

Slime first came into prominence in the 1970s as a toy made from guar gum. Though there are several ready-made slime products on the market today, the substance is now more popular as a fun DIY project. The process is perhaps just as fun as playing with the finished product. Plus, when you make it yourself, it can be any color you want (and adorned with glitter, too).

There are dozens of recipes online for slime, some containing Borax or harsh detergents. We think this method, which contains washable glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution, is probably the safest when getting kids involved. Happy sliming!

Read more: 19 Recipes for Kids Who Are Picky Eaters

You’ll Need

2 bottles (8 oz) Elmer’s Washable School Glue
2 Tbsp water
2–3 drops food coloring
3 Tbsp glitter
1 Tbsp baking soda, plus more if needed
2-3 Tbsp contact solution

How to Make It

In a medium bowl, stir together the glue, water, food coloring, and glitter, until completely combined. (If you want your slime to be on the firmer side, you can skip the water.)

Add in the baking soda, and stir until combined.

Slowly stir in the contact solution. This will cause a reaction with the baking soda, and the slime should start coming together. If it feels too wet, add more baking soda until you like the sliminess of the mixture.

Keep stirring until the mixture starts to firm up and form into a ball. There might be some bubbles along the way.

Once the ball of slime is firm enough that it doesn’t stick to your hands anymore, transfer it to a work surface and knead until the mixture softens into stretchy slime.

Full Slime Recipe

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the glue, water, food coloring, and glitter, until completely combined. (If you want your slime to be on the firmer side, you can skip the water.)
2. Add in the baking soda, and stir until combined.
3. Slowly stir in the contact solution. This will cause a reaction with the baking soda, and the slime should start coming together. If it feels too wet, add more baking soda until you like the sliminess of the mixture.
4. Keep stirring until the mixture starts to firm up and form into a ball.
5. Once the ball of slime is firm enough that it doesn’t stick to your hands anymore, transfer it to a work surface and knead until the mixture softens and becomes stretchy.

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