Make epic slime
Make colorful, stretchy slime using school glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution; experiment with textures, colors, and safe mixing under adult supervision.
About this activity
Make colorful, stretchy slime using school glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution; experiment with textures, colors, and safe mixing under adult supervision.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all materials on a flat table.
- 2
Step 2
Wash your hands with soap and water.
- 3
Step 3
Put a paper towel under your mixing bowl.
- 4
Step 4
Measure 1/2 cup of school glue.
- 5
Step 5
Pour the measured glue into the mixing bowl.
- 6
Step 6
Measure 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
- 7
Step 7
Add the baking soda to the glue in the bowl.
- 8
Step 8
Stir the glue and baking soda together until blended.
- 9
Step 9
Add 3 to 4 drops of food coloring to the mixture.
- 10
Step 10
Stir until the color is even throughout the mix.
- 11
Step 11
Ask an adult to add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution to the bowl.
- 12
Step 12
Stir the mixture until it starts to pull away from the bowl and forms slime.
- 13
Step 13
Take the slime out and knead it for 1 to 2 minutes until it becomes stretchy.
- 14
Step 14
Add optional glitter or foam beads and knead them into the slime for extra texture.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make epic slime?
To make epic slime, pour 1 cup white school glue into a bowl. Stir in food coloring or pigment to desired color. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and mix well. Slowly add 1–2 tablespoons contact lens solution (must contain boric acid), stirring until slime pulls away and becomes stretchy. Knead for 3–5 minutes; add more solution sparingly if sticky. Always supervise children, work on a washable surface, and wash hands after play.
What materials do I need to make epic slime?
You'll need: 1 cup white or clear PVA school glue, baking soda (about 1/2 teaspoon), contact lens solution that lists boric acid/sodium borate, food coloring or liquid watercolors, optional add-ins like glitter, foam beads, or scented oils, a mixing bowl, spoon, measuring spoons, and a washable work surface. Optional: small storage containers to keep slime fresh. Avoid household borax powder unless you understand proper dilution and safety.
What ages is making epic slime suitable for?
Making slime is best for children ages 5 and up with close adult supervision. Younger children (2–4) can join sensory play if parents handle mixing and prevent ingestion. Older kids enjoy experimenting with textures and colors independently but should still follow safety rules. Consider any skin sensitivities or allergies, and always supervise to prevent putting slime in mouths or eyes.
What safety tips, benefits, and variations are there for epic slime?
Safety: avoid ingestion, keep slime away from eyes, supervise, wash hands after play, and store in sealed containers. Use contact lens solution with boric acid and avoid crude borax without guidance. Benefits: sensory development, fine motor skills, creativity, and science learning. Variations: try fluffy slime (add shaving cream), crunchy slime (foam beads), clear slime for glitter effects, or scented slime using a few drops of child-safe fragrance.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have contact lens solution for the activator?
If contact lens solution isn't available, ask an adult to use 1 tablespoon of liquid starch as the activator in place of the contact lens solution in step 9 when mixing the glue and baking soda.
My slime is still sticky after stirring in the contact lens solution—what should I do?
If the mixture stays sticky after step 9, have an adult add the contact lens solution one drop at a time while stirring and then knead for 1 to 2 minutes until it pulls away from the bowl, or add a tiny pinch more baking soda to firm it up.
How can I adapt this slime activity for younger or older kids?
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 the child do the stirring and kneading steps 7–11, while older kids can experiment with clear vs. white glue, different food-color amounts, or mixing in glitter and foam beads from step 12 for texture.
How can we make the slime more special or show-worthy before sharing on DIY.org?
To enhance the slime, make small colored batches by adding different food-color drops in step 8 and layer them together, or knead in a teaspoon of glow-in-the-dark paint or a drop of scented oil during step 12 for glowing or scented textures to photograph and share on DIY.org.