Welcome, slime enthusiasts!
It’s Calie, and today I’m thrilled to share with you one of our all-time favorite science experiments – making homemade slime!
There’s something about the gooey, stretchy texture of slime that captivates kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) for hours on end.
Slime-making is not just a fun pastime; it’s a hands-on way to introduce the principles of chemistry right in your kitchen.
If you’ve never tried making slime with your family, you’re in for a treat.
What You’ll Need
- Water
- White school glue
- Food coloring (optional, for that pop of color)
- Borax (sodium borate)
- Two bowls
Steps to Slimy Success
- Mix Your Base: In one bowl, combine 1/4 cup of water with 1/4 cup of white school glue. If you’re up for more slime fun, feel free to double the recipe.
- Color It Up: For a splash of excitement, add a few drops of food coloring to your glue mixture. This is where you can let your creativity shine!
- Prepare the Borax Solution: In the second bowl, dissolve 1/2 tablespoon of borax in 1/2 cup of water. Stir until the borax is fully dissolved.
- Combine and Marvel: Slowly add the borax solution to the glue mixture, stirring as you go. Watch as the ingredients magically bond to form your very own homemade slime!
Variations to Spark Your Imagination
- Glow-in-the-Dark Slime: Swap out the regular glue for glow-in-the-dark glue to keep the fun going, even when the lights go out.
- Glittery Slime: Mix in some glitter with your glue for a sparkling, mesmerizing effect.
Video
For visual learners, here’s a great video we found that will walk you through the slime-making process.
If you find yourself without borax, don’t worry! It’s easily available on platforms like Amazon, often at a very reasonable price.
Making slime is not just an entertaining activity; it’s a brilliant way to dive into the world of science. By mixing simple ingredients, kids learn about the fascinating process of chemical reactions and the transformation from liquid to a non-Newtonian fluid.
For those who want to explore further, consider checking out this fun article about the SlooMoo Institute in Chicago (AKA the Slime Museum).
You won’t believe what’s in store for you there!
Happy sliming,
Calie
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
