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in STEM Activities· Summer STEM Activities

How to Make Mermaid Slime with Laundry Starch

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We love slime recipes, and we love mermaids. That is how the idea for this fun mermaid slime was born. Learn how to make mermaid slime below!

For this recipe, we used a slightly modified version of our regular liquid laundry starch slime to make a thicker texture that was easier to use with toys.

If you want to learn how to make mermaid glitter slime, keep on reading!

We love slime recipes, and we love mermaids. That is how the idea for this fun mermaid slime was born.  Learn how to make mermaid slime below!

Mermaid Slime Instructions

We made these modifications to a traditional slime recipe because we thought the slightly thicker slime looked and felt just like what we imagined a mermaid’s tail would look and feel like.

The glitter flakes become the “scales” of the mermaid and it was so much fun playing with this slime!

In our second version, we ommitted the glitter, and included tiny fish scale beads, to make crunchy mermaid slime!

As an added bonus, the thicker slime is also a lot less messy.

Kids will love this incandescent, stretchy mermaid slime! It's the perfect summer slime recipe and the perfect addition to under the sea activities!

My kids had fun not only playing with the basic slime, but we also used mermaid erasers to play in it and my daughters decided to transform the slime into a real mermaid tail for their barbies.

You’ll also want to check out the ultimate list of summer STEM activities and the ultimate list of summer science experiments. 

Find out how to make your own mermaid slime recipe!

summer stem challenge cards

Check out the full list of summer slime recipes!

On to the mermaid slime recipe!

mermaid slime recipe

Read on to see how to make the very best mermaid slime! And don’t forget to try our other summer slime recipes: ocean slime, sand slime, beach slime, and tie dye slime.

THE SCIENCE OF MERMAID SLIME

Slime is made when boron mixes with the polymer chains in the glue, creating strong, but flexible bonds between the molecules.

There are so many fun tweaks you can make to a basic slime recipe, like my kid’s favorite, fluffy slime!

Since this slime does contain borax, if you have a sensitivity to it, you may want to try our baking soda slime instead.

DON’T MISS: THE ULTIMATE LIST OF SLIME RECIPES!

Mermaid Slime Troubleshooting

Slime has never been this mythical before! The mermaid tail slime is perfect for mermaid-loving kids.

If this is your first time making slime, you should follow along with our post on slime troubleshooting.  Luckily,liquid laundry starch slime made with clear glue is the easiest slime recipe.

If you don’t want to waste a lot of ingredients, try mixing up a small batch first to make sure you won’t have to tweak it before you make the larger version.

We always stock up on gallon sizes of glue and the large laundry starch just in case something goes wrong (but it almost always goes smoothly).

mermaid slime instructions

How to make a barbie mermaid tail

You can make a mermaid tail for a barbie from almost anything, but we used slime for ours!

To make the slime mermaid tail for a barbie, simply wrap the slime around the barbie’s legs to make a mermaid tail shape, and you have your own mermaid slime barbie.

mermaid activities for kids

DIY Mermaid Slime

Follow these directions to make DIY mermaid slime.

how to make mermaid slime

What you’ll need to make the best mermaid slime recipe:

 

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. 

Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Premium Clear, Washable, 1 Gallon, 1 Count - Great For Making SlimeElmer’s Liquid School Glue, Premium Clear, Washable, 1 Gallon, 1 Count – Great For Making SlimeFood Coloring Liqua-Gel - 6 Color Rainbow Kit in .75 fl. oz. (20ml) BottlesFood Coloring Liqua-Gel – 6 Color Rainbow Kit in .75 fl. oz. (20ml) BottlesPurex Sta-Flo Liquid Starch, 64 OuncePurex Sta-Flo Liquid Starch, 64 OunceOriginal Stationery Arts and Crafts Glitter Shake Jars, Extra Fine, 24 Multi color SetOriginal Stationery Arts and Crafts Glitter Shake Jars, Extra Fine, 24 Multi color Set

 

  • Liquid laundry starch
  • Pink glitter
  • Blue glitter
  • White glitter
  • Elmer’s clear glue or white glue
  • Mermaid toys (ours came from Target, but these are similar)
  • Glass beads

Making Little Mermaid Slime

Kids will love this slightly thicker version of slime that is ideal for using with toys and is almost completely mess-free (as long as you keep it away from fabric).

under the sea slime

Mix a bottle of clear glue (which is about five ounces) with slightly less than half a cup of water. This is what gives the slime a bit more structure, leaving it more “fish-like.”

Dump in quite a bit of blue, pink, and white glitter and mix.

The three colors of glitter will mix together and reflect off one another, creating a sort of incandescent purple color that looks quite similar to a fish’s scales.

The texture of the glitter also adds to the effect.

mermaid tail slime

Add 1/2 a cup of liquid laundry starch to the mixture and stir. Like all laundry starch slime, it takes a little while for the ingredients to completely mix.

At first, it will be super sticky, but after about five minutes, it will be smooth to the touch and won’t stick to anything at all.

mermaid eraser activities

My kids love stretching and playing with slime, but they are also in a mermaid eraser phase.

My kids used their slime with our mini mermaid erasers.

thicker slime recipe

Then, they had the idea to give their barbies real mermaid tails with the slime.

This would never have worked with regular slime, but because this version is thicker, the slime became the perfect mermaid tail for Barbie.

Slime has never been this mythical before! The mermaid tail slime is perfect for mermaid-loving kids.

Crunchy Mermaid Slime

crunchy mermaid slime

To make the crunchy mermaid slime, use glass beads instead of glitter.

Use two pearl colors, purple and green to make your mermaid tail slime.

You can use the same ratio of slime to laundry starch when mixing.

Add the beads when mixing the color in if you use powdered color, or add it after the slime has formed if you use liquid food coloring.

So many fun ways to play with this mermaid slime!

More Fun Slime Recipes

Want to know how to make the best fluffy slime? This recipe shows you how and it's so easy and fun! This slime recipe will be a favorite!

Fluffy Slime

This bubblegum slime recipe looks and feels just like ABC chewed gum! It is delightfully gross and would make a perfect practical joke!

ABC Chewed Gum Slime

Unicorn Poop Slime

St. Patrick's Day doesn't have to be just about crafts! Bring some STEM to the holiday with these hands on St. Patrick's Day STEM activities for kids!

Rainbow Bead Slime

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Filed Under: STEM Activities, Summer STEM Activities Tagged With: elementary, mermaid, slime, summer

About Brenda Priddy

Brenda grew up thinking she hated science. But when her 4-year- old daughter was more interested in reading science facts than fairy tales, Brenda realized she had to learn more. Through simple at-home science experiments, Brenda developed a passion for science and now works as a STEMed advocate with a team of science educators to create hands-on STEM projects and curriculum for kids.

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What is STEAM?

STEAM activities for kids promote the idea that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can all work together to help kids become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators!

Join us on our journey to discover just how much fun science experiments can be.

What we do… 

STEAMsational offers STEM and science lesson plans and teaching resources to provide a firm STEM foundation for children in the classroom or home.

All you need to do is find your supplies, gather your scientists, and let the innovation unfold.

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