How to Make Slime for Kids {with video}

DIY Slime is the new popular activity for kids.  Come see How To Make Slime for Kids that’s easy and doesn’t contain Borax.

This is a guest post from my daughter, Emerson.  She’s the slime expert around here! 🙂

This post contains affiliate links.  Disclosure policy here.

How To Make Slime for Kids

Slime is the new kid/teen/tween obsession, and I think that with its bright sparkly colors and creative textures, everyone is falling in love!

The mesmerizing and addictive slime videos on YouTube are a major hit.  Anyone can follow the few simple directions to make this squishy fun substance. If you don’t already know, there are many different ways for How to Make Slime and testing 1 or 2 ingredient slimes is also a popular topic to watch on YouTube.

Grab your materials and let’s make some slime! You will need:

• Elmer’s glitter, clear or white glue
• Contact solution
• Baking soda
• Food coloring (optional)
• Baby oil for more stretchy texture (optional)
• Add-ins like scents or beads (optional)

You will also need a medium large mixing bowl and spatula or spoon as well as an airtight container to store your slime.

The Steps for Making Slime

Slime takes a few steps, but the fascinating goo is very easy to create.

There are two popular ways and one of them is to use Elmer’s glue, Borax, and water. Then add any extra colors or sparkles. The other option is to use Elmer’s glue, baking soda, and contact solution. Those are just a couple out of many recipes to make the perfect slime mixture. Today, we’re going to show you the latter. 

Side Note:  Most parent’s prefer the glue and contact solution method because Borax can be irritating when exposure occurs through skin or eye contact, inhalation or ingestion.

Step 1 – Pour (1) 9 fl. oz. bottle Elmer’s Glue into a medium-large bowl.

Step 2 – Add 1 tsp baking soda to glue and mix together. (And food coloring if using)

Step 3 – Finally, add small amounts of contact solution and mix after each addition. (2-2 1/2 tablespoons in total)

Option to add baby oil at this time to make a soft texture.

Tip:  Only add contact solution until your slime concoction no longer sticks to the side of your mixing bowl.

The Best Types of Glue To Use for Slime

DON’T try to use Dollar Store glue for slime.  It won’t work and you’ll be disappointed.  Since it’s a main ingredient, it’s best to start with quality glue such as the ones below.

• Elmer’s Glitter Glue (this one is great since you don’t have to add sparkles)
• Elmer’s White Glue
• Elmer’s Clear Glue
• Crazy Art Glue

We recommend getting a couple bottles since you may want to make more than one batch!

Tips for Making the Best Slime

• Use measurements!  It may seem like you can just throw the ingredients together and you’ll come out with the perfect slime, but that’s not the case. You need to follow the recipe.
• If your slime won’t stick together, try adding more contact solution so it bonds together better. If it’s too sticky, you can add more baking soda.
• Add your saline solution in small amounts.  If you add too much at one time, you won’t know when you have the perfect concoction and your slime won’t turn out well.  If your slime is too hard and not flexible, you probably added too much contact solution.

What to Add to Your Slime

You can also add unique smells (we like essentials oils) or beads to your sticky goo (like these and these) to make it even more original and fun.  

TIP: It’s easiest to add the items before you mix in the saline solution.

There are different types of slime too. For example, crunchy slime, clear slime, fishbowl slime, or fluffy slime. Each different type of slime is a unique and fun creation. You can stretch, squish, poke, and squeeze your goo to its fullest potential.

As for cost, slime is pretty cheap to make since the ingredients are easy to find at your local retail store or Amazon. Brands such as Elmer’s have made a large profit off of the goo since everyone is making and DIYing the slime themselves. Often times stores like Michael’s are sold out of glue or foam balls because so many people are making their own slime!

Interesting Slime Facts

Slime can also be satisfactory (the word kids use to describe it) and calming, and many people find it pleasing to watch as well as make. Lots of slime videos or slime accounts on YouTube or Instagram have countless views. Plenty of adults as well as children simply enjoy watching the videos. Even though it seems silly, some people even find that by watching slime videos, it’s like meditation.

Here’s an interesting article about the science behind making slime.

Enjoy your slime making for kids!

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

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