how to make slime
Make stretchy slime using white glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution with adult supervision; mix, knead, and explore colors and chemistry.
About this activity
Make stretchy slime using white glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution with adult supervision; mix, knead, and explore colors and chemistry.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials and set them on a clean table with adult supervision.
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Step 2
Pour 1/2 cup of white glue into the mixing bowl.
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Step 3
Measure and add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into the glue.
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Step 4
Stir the glue and baking soda together until the mix looks smooth.
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Step 5
Add a few drops of your chosen coloring to the bowl.
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Step 6
Stir the mixture until the color looks even.
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Step 7
Measure and add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution to the bowl.
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Step 8
Stir the mixture until it starts to pull away from the sides and form slime.
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Step 9
Take the slime out of the bowl and knead it with your hands for 2 minutes.
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Step 10
If the slime is still sticky add up to 1/2 teaspoon more contact lens solution and knead again.
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Step 11
Stretch the slime to test how far it stretches and how bouncy it is.
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Step 12
Clean up your workspace and wipe any spills with the paper towel.
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Step 13
Wash your hands with soap and water.
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Step 14
Share your finished slime on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make stretchy slime using white glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution?
Pour white school glue into a bowl, then add a small pinch (about 1/4–1/2 teaspoon) of baking soda and stir. Add a few drops of food coloring if you like, then slowly add contact lens solution—start with a teaspoon and mix until the mixture pulls away from the bowl. Knead with clean hands until it becomes stretchy and less sticky. Adult supervision is required during mixing and kneading.
What materials do I need to make stretchy slime with glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution?
You’ll need white PVA school glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution (one that contains boric acid/borate). Also gather a mixing bowl, spoon, measuring spoons, food coloring or glitter (optional), an airtight container for storage, paper towels, and an adult for supervision. Avoid using eye drops not intended as contact solution; read labels to ensure the right ingredients are present.
What ages is this slime activity suitable for?
This slime activity is best for children ages 5 and up with close adult supervision. Younger children (under 3) should not do this due to choking and ingestion risks. Older children and tweens can follow steps more independently but still need an adult nearby to handle chemicals, measure ingredients, and ensure safe handling and cleanup.
What safety tips and benefits should I know when making and playing with slime?
Slime offers sensory play, fine-motor practice, and simple chemistry lessons, but safety matters: always supervise, keep slime away from eyes and mouth, wash hands after play, and discard if skin irritation or mold appears. Use a contact lens solution labeled for slime (contains borates), store slime in an airtight container, and avoid using slime with very young children or anyone who tends to put items in their mouth.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have contact lens solution or white glue?
If you don't have contact lens solution for the step that activates the slime, substitute 1 tablespoon of liquid starch or, with adult supervision, add small amounts of a borax solution (about 1/4 teaspoon borax dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water) while using PVA school glue in place of the 1/2 cup white glue.
My mixture won't pull away from the bowl or is too sticky—what should I do?
If the mixture doesn't pull away after adding 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of contact lens solution at a time and knead for the 2-minute kneading step until it stops sticking, and if it becomes too stiff soften it with a few drops of white glue.
How can I adapt this slime activity for different age groups?
For younger children, have an adult pre-measure the 1/2 cup glue, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 tablespoon contact lens solution and let them do the stirring and kneading in a shallow tray, while older kids can vary activator amounts, try different color mixes, and measure how far the slime stretches and bounces after the kneading step.
How can we extend or personalize the slime after making it?
After you knead and test stretch and bounce, personalize the finished slime by folding in glitter, foam beads, or a drop of scented oil, try glow-in-the-dark paint for nighttime play, and preserve it in an airtight container before sharing on DIY.org.