Make color-changing slime
Make thermochromic color-changing slime using school glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, and thermochromic pigment; with adult supervision, watch it change color.
Step-by-step guide to make color-changing slime
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Step 2
Pour the entire 4 ounce bottle of school glue into the small mixing bowl.
Step 3
Add one quarter teaspoon of thermochromic pigment to the glue.
Step 4
Stir the glue and pigment with the spoon for about 30 seconds until the color looks even.
Step 5
Sprinkle one half teaspoon of baking soda into the glue mixture.
Step 6
Stir the mixture for 15 seconds to mix in the baking soda.
Step 7
Add one tablespoon of contact lens solution to the bowl.
Step 8
Stir the mixture until it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and look stringy.
Step 9
Take the slime out of the bowl and knead it with your hands for one minute.
Step 10
If the slime is still sticky add one quarter teaspoon of contact lens solution and knead again.
Step 11
Rub the slime between your palms to warm it and watch the color change.
Step 12
Place an ice cube briefly on the slime to cool it and watch the color change back.
Step 13
Share a photo or video of your color changing slime on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I can't find thermochromic pigment or contact lens solution?
If you can't find thermochromic pigment, substitute thermochromic paint or pigment powder (they still change color) and if you lack contact lens solution use 1/4 teaspoon borax dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm water as the activator for step 8.
My slime is still sticky or won't pull away from the bowl—what should I do?
If the mixture doesn't pull away after adding 1 tablespoon contact lens solution in step 8, add another 1/4 teaspoon of contact lens solution and knead as directed, or add a tiny pinch more baking soda if it's too runny.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For ages 3–5 have an adult wash hands and pre-measure and perform steps 2–9 while the child helps stir and knead, for 6–9 let kids measure with supervision and do step 11 to rub and watch the color change, and for 10+ let them experiment with extra 1/4 teaspoon contact lens solution or different amounts of thermochromic pigment.
How can we make the color-changing slime more fun or unique?
To personalize and extend the activity, stir glitter or foam beads into the glue before adding baking soda (step 5), try layering two slimes with different thermochromic pigments, or use a warm cup and an ice cube to create patterns and record the change to share on DIY.org as in the final step.
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Facts about chemistry experiments for kids
⚠️ Always have an adult supervise — thermochromic pigments aren't edible and some activators can irritate skin or eyes.
🧂 Baking soda helps adjust the mixture so the contact‑lens solution's borate compounds can crosslink the glue into slime.
🧴 School glue is mostly polyvinyl acetate — a long-chain polymer whose strands tangle and stretch to make slime stretchy.
🧪 Thermochromic pigments change color with temperature and can be tuned to flip hues around skin temperature (about 30–35°C).
🌡️ Warming the slime with your hands or breath usually triggers the color change, and it will revert when it cools down.
How do I make thermochromic color-changing slime?
What materials do I need to make color-changing slime?
What ages is thermochromic slime suitable for?
Is thermochromic slime safe and what safety steps should I follow?
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