All it takes is one search on the internet and you will find thousands of recipes for making slime at home, but how do you know which one to use? The crew at Beals Science has taken the guess-work out of making your own slime; we've been testing recipes for more than 10 years and have shared our favorite DIY Slime Recipes below. Each of the recipes are proven to work, but we hope you will alter the ingredients and experiment to see how you can make different types of slime. And, most importantly, have fun with your slime!
If you are looking to make slime that is the same as the slime you can buy at the store, check out our Polyvinyl Alcohol Slime recipe (also know as PVA Slime). This recipe is the original slime - not the slime recipes that use glue - it is our favorite slime!
Real Slime Recipe - Polyvinyl Alcohol Slime (PVA)
This recipe contains the same solutions as the original slime you can buy at the store. It is completely safe to handle and it is incredible to play with!
Supplies
Activator Solution (4% Sodium Tetraborate Solution)
1/4 teaspoon Borax (Sodium Tetraborate)
1/3 cup water
Or you may use 1 teaspoon contact solution (which is Sodium Tetraborate and water
Polyvinyl Alcohol 4%
2 disposable plastic cups for mixing
Plastic spoon for mixing
Measuring spoons
Directions
To make the "Activator Solution", mix 1/4 tsp borax and 1/3 cup warm water together thoroughly until dissolved. Let sit while mixing other ingredients. You will only need 1 teaspoon of this solution for each batch of slime. You can save the rest in a container and use it to make slime another time.
You can substitute contact solution instead of making your own "Activator Solution". It is essentially the same ingredients.
Add 3 1/2 Tablespoons (or 50mL) of Polyvinyl Alcohol to one of the cups
Drip no more than 5 drops of food coloring (feel free to combine colors) into the Polyvinyl Alcohol. Mix.
While mixing with your spoon, slowly pour 1 teaspoon of the "Activator Solution" that you made from borax (or you can use 1 teaspoon of contact solution) into the glue. The slime should start to form.
Remove the slime from the liquid and dispose of the extra liquid.
Store the slime in an airtight container (Click for our favorite slime containers) or plastic bag.
Elmer's White Glue Slime Recipe
Supplies
Activator Solution
1/4 teaspoon Borax (Sodium Tetraborate)
1/3 cup water
Or you may use 1/3 cup contact solution (which is Sodium Tetraborate and water)
Glue
1/2 cup water
2 bowls for mixing
Directions
To make the "Activator Solution", mix 1/4 tsp borax and 1/3 cup water together thoroughly until dissolved. Let sit while mixing other ingredients (or measure 1/3 cup of contact solution which will also work as the "Activator Solution").
Add 1/2 cup of glue into a separate bowl (or 1 entire 4oz bottle of glue)
Add 1/2 cup of water to the glue in the bowl (or fill empty glue bottle with water. Replace cap and shake. Pour into bowl with glue).
Mix water and glue together (it is safe to use your hands)
Drip no more than 5 drops of food coloring (feel free to combine colors) into water/glue solution. Mix.
While mixing with your hand or spoon, slowly pour Activator Solution that you made from borax (or you can use 1/3 cup of contact solution) into the glue. The slime should start to form.
Elmer's Clear Glue Slime Recipe
and Glitter Glue Slime Recipe
Supplies
Activator Solution
1/4 teaspoon Borax
1/3 cup water
Or...
1/3 cup contact solution
Glue
1/2 cup Elmer's Clear Glue (or 1- 5oz bottle - you may substitute with Elmer's Glitter Glue)
1/2 cup Water
2 bowls for mixing
Directions
To make the "Activator Solution", mix 1/4 tsp borax and 1/3 cup water together thoroughly until dissolved. Let sit while mixing other ingredients (or measure 1/3 cup of contact solution which will also work as the "Activator Solution").
Add 1/2 cup of glue into a separate bowl (or 1 entire bottle of clear glue or glitter glue)
Add 1/2 cup of water to the glue in the bowl (or fill empty glue bottle with water. Replace cap and shake. Pour into bowl with glue).
Mix water and glue together (it is safe to use your hands)
Drip no more than 5 drops of food coloring (feel free to combine colors) into water/glue solution. Mix.
While mixing with your hand or spoon, slowly pour Activator Solution that you made from borax (or you can use 1/3 cup of contact solution) into the glue. The slime should start to form.
Guar Gum Slime Recipe
This is the version that we use when we go to elementary schools because it is the least expensive way we've found to make slime.
(Recipe instructions are given in lab measurements and approximated in English units)
Supplies
100 ml water [1/2 cup water]
Directions
Make 4% sodium borate solution
Mix 4 grams borax with 100 mL water until dissolved (this will make enough for 20 batches of slime. [At home instructions: 1/8 tsp borax mixed with 1/2 cup water]
Measure 100 ml [1/2 cup] of water into a bowl
Add no more than 4 drops of food coloring (feel free to mix colors)
Add 0.5 g [1/8 tsp] guar gum powder to water.
Stir vigorously until dissolved.
Let stand 5 minutes to thicken.
While stirring add 5 ml [1tsp] sodium borate solution.
PLAY!
How to Make Slime - Featured on the Science Spot on Montana This Morning - CBS
Looking for more science projects to do with kids?
Click the #KidScience hashtag to see all of the experiments that are great to do with kids.