Slime Time!
Make colorful, fluffy slime using glue, baking soda, and contact solution with adult help; explore texture, stretching, and safe mixing while learning simple chemistry.
About this activity
Make colorful, fluffy slime using glue, baking soda, and contact solution with adult help; explore texture, stretching, and safe mixing while learning simple chemistry.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Ask an adult to help you set up a covered workspace with newspaper or a towel.
- 2
Step 2
Measure and pour 1/2 cup of white glue into the mixing bowl.
- 3
Step 3
Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda into the glue.
- 4
Step 4
Add a few drops of food coloring to the glue mixture.
- 5
Step 5
Stir the glue mixture until the color is even.
- 6
Step 6
Measure and add 1 cup of shaving cream into the bowl.
- 7
Step 7
Stir gently until the mixture looks fluffy and even.
- 8
Step 8
Add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution to the bowl.
- 9
Step 9
Stir until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and form slime.
- 10
Step 10
Knead the slime with clean hands for 1 to 2 minutes until it becomes less sticky.
- 11
Step 11
Stretch and squish the slime to explore its texture and how far it stretches.
- 12
Step 12
Put your slime into an airtight container for storage and wash your hands with soap and water.
- 13
Step 13
Share your finished slime creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make fluffy slime at home with glue, baking soda, and contact solution?
Start with 1/2 cup white PVA glue in a bowl, add a few drops of food coloring and stir. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda until blended. Add contact lens solution (with boric acid) a teaspoon at a time while stirring until the slime pulls away from the bowl. Knead with clean hands until smooth and stretchy. Have an adult measure ingredients, control the activator, and supervise the mixing and kneading steps.
What materials do I need to make Slime Time! safely?
You’ll need white school glue (PVA), baking soda, contact lens solution that lists boric acid/borate, food coloring, a mixing bowl, spoon, measuring spoons, and airtight storage containers. Optional extras: glitter, foam beads, or shaving cream for extra fluff. Keep wipes or soap and water nearby, and always have an adult present to measure and handle activator and cleanup.
What ages is making fluffy slime suitable for?
Slime making is generally best for kids aged about 6 and up with adult supervision. Younger children (3–5) can enjoy pre-made slime as a supervised sensory activity but shouldn’t handle activators. Older kids (9+) can often follow the recipe more independently but still need an adult for measuring and safety checks. Avoid slime for toddlers who might put it in their mouths.
What safety tips should parents follow when making slime?
Always supervise mixing and measuring, and use contact solution approved for slime (contains borate) rather than raw borax powder. Keep slime away from eyes, mouth, and open cuts; wash hands before and after play. Test a small skin patch first for irritation and discard if redness appears. Store in a sealed container out of reach of children and pets, and avoid using slime on fabric or carpet.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have contact lens solution for the step that says 'Add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution'?
If you don't have contact lens solution for the 'Add 1 tablespoon' step, an adult can make a borax activator by dissolving 1 teaspoon of borax in 1 cup of warm water and add it a few drops at a time until the slime forms.
My mixture never pulls away from the sides or stays very sticky after kneading—what should I do?
If the mixture doesn't pull away or remains sticky after kneading for 1–2 minutes, add contact lens solution a few drops at a time while stirring and kneading, or sprinkle a tiny pinch more baking soda and continue kneading until it firms up.
How can I adapt this slime activity for very young children or older kids?
For preschoolers have an adult handle the measuring and the contact solution/baking soda steps and only let them stir, stretch, and squish the finished slime, while older kids can try adjusting the 1 cup shaving cream for extra fluff, experimenting with more food coloring, or mixing in glitter.
How can we personalize or improve our slime to make it extra special before putting it in the airtight container and sharing it on DIY.org?
To personalize your slime, stir glitter, sequins, or small foam beads into the mixture after adding the food coloring and 1 cup shaving cream, or swap white glue for glow-in-the-dark glue and scent it with a drop of kid-safe essential oil before storing in the airtight container.