Kids LOVE slime recipes!
There is nothing more fun than making and playing with gooey, stretchy slime!
Take on slime all year long by learning how to make satisfying slime for every holiday and season! You’ll also find plenty of different slime recipes beyond the basic slime recipe.
Kids will love these quick and easy slime recipe ideas and you’ll love that our foolproof slime recipe has been tested over and over again, ensuring you don’t waste your time and money on DIY slime that doesn’t work.
This easy slime recipe is oh-so-easy and give you plenty of ideas for different slimes to make for holidays and every day!
Learn how to make satisfying slime below.
How to Make Satisfying Slime
This sticky slime is perfect for sensory play, learning activities, and just for fun!
Learn how to make ASMR slime and many other types of slime below!
Why Make Slime?
There are 101 reasons to make slime, but one big one not to. The big reason NOT to make slime is that it can be messy.
However, I think the benefits far outweigh the mess! And, there are plenty of non-messy slime ideas that you can do if you’re really not wanting things to be a mess when making slime.
But here are some reasons you SHOULD make slime:
- It’s a wonderful sensory activity
- It promotes STEM awareness
- It’s a fun chemistry science activity
- Kids LOVE it
- It makes a fun gift
- There are so many fun slime variations to try
- It can build hand strength and pre-writing skills
- It can be therapeutic for kids with sensory needs
Whatever your reason for making slime, we have all the recipes for slime you’ll need to make your slime making experience epic! Now that gives you some ideas of what to do with slime!
Printable Slime Recipe
What is the recipe for slime? Slime is easier to make when you use our slime troubleshooting printable!
Why is Slime Satisfying?
Slime is satisfying for a variety of reasons- but the main reason it is satisfying for so many is that it is a sensory experience.
There is something that feels good about sticky, stretchy slime when you touch it and play with it.
Slime is used a lot in play therapy for children with sensory needs, like those who are autistic, have ADHD, or have other neurodevelopmental differences.
Slime is not only fun and soothing, but it also encourages proper childhood development. including a boost to language skills, problem-solving skills, and cognitive abilities.
So, allowing a child to play with slime, while it may cause a bit of stress in the moment, is actually doing wonders for a child’s development and mental health.
So, let the slime play continue!
How to Make Slime
We all know that buying slime all the time can get expensive.
So why not make your own slime at home?
There are a million ways to make slime, and part of the fun is how much variation there is to try!
All slime will need a base (PVA glue is usually used) and a chemical reactor that will thicken the slime. We’ve made slime from soap, glue, sugar, xanthan gum, and cornstarch, but you can make it from almost anything!
Experiment with different materials and ratios to make a slime that is unique to you! Slime forms when the two materials mix and create a chemical bond known as a polymer chain. This is a stretchy substance that is fun to play with!
Our favorite slime uses a mixture of laundry starch and PVA glue. You can find the recipe for that in our perfect liquid starch slime recipe.
Get the Slime Made Easy Book!
Everything you need to know about easy recipes to make slime and becoming a slime expert can be found in the Slime Made Easy book.
Here are two of the issues we cover in the book:
Why is My Slime Watery?
Watery slime usually means you messed up the ratio, but it’s usually completely fixable. If your slime is too watery, try this:
- Add more activator. It could be you just didn’t add enough activator!
- Pour off excess liquid. It could be that you added too much water or activator and need to pour off some access.
If that doesn’t work, try adding a bit more glue.
Why is My Slime Sticky?
Sticky slime usually means you don’t have enough activator. Try adding a bit more.
If that doens’t work, you may need to add something dry, like cornstarch, to help reduce how sticky your slime is. I like to add either cornstarch or shaving cream to eliminate stickiness.
Slime Recipes that Work
All of our recipes for making slime work.
When making slime, we like to use a ratio of 2/3 part water, 1 part laundry starch, and 1 part glue. Our slime comes out perfect every single time!
We also like to use gel food colors because they create vibrant colors that really pop!
Can’t find glue? Get a complete ready-to-go slime kit!
This post contains affiliate links.
Elmer’s Liquid School Glue, Premium Clear, Washable, 1 Gallon, 1 Count – Great For Making Slime
Purex Sta-Flo Liquid Starch, 64 OunceArtSkills Classic Glitter Shakers, Arts and Crafts Supplies, Ultra-Fine Craft Glitter, .19oz each, Assorted Colors, 8-Count, Non-ToxicArtSkills Classic Glitter Shakers, Arts and Crafts Supplies, Ultra-Fine Craft Glitter, .19oz each, Assorted Colors, 8-Count, Non-ToxicFood Coloring Liqua-Gel – 12 Color Variety Kit in .75 fl. oz. (20ml) Bottles
Basic Slime Ingredients
You just need these three ingredients to make slime!
The secret to making perfect slime is to mix the water and glue together with the food coloring first.
Then, add in your starch. Lastly, let your slime sit for about 5 minutes before playing with it.
The rest phase really helps those bonds form and create a stretchy slime that is mess-free.
Making Homemade Slime
Try making these recipes for homemade slime with your kids and make fun memories while having the best sensory experiences in the world! Our list of types of slime will provide endless hours of screen-free fun with your kiddos.
You’ll soon have a slime addict on your hands!
Easy Ways to Make Slime
Start here if you’ve never made slime before! These recipes for slime are perfect for beginners.
This Basic Borax Slime is what started the slime craze at my house, over 8 years ago! The kids still ask to make this recipe.
Laundry Starch Slime is our go-to-recipe for slime. It never turns out bad, and it tends to be less sticky than some other slime variations.
This recipe for the Best Fluffy Slime is the most popular with our readers. Over 500,000 people have tried this recipe!
How to Make Slime without Borax
These diy slime ideas don’t require the use of borax.
Baking Soda Slime is a fun slime to make with toddlers and preschoolers because they can really get their hands in there and make a mess!
Magnesium Flake Slime is our own invention, and uses magnesium as the activator. This is the only slime recipe that uses magnesium, and it produces a stretchy, smooth slime that is super satisfying.
Glue-Free Slime
Check out how to make glue free slime right here and find the best recipes for glue-free slime.
Xanthan Gum Slime is a taste-safe slime and provides a full sensory experience.
Cornstarch Slime is a slime recipe we make often and shows you how to make slime without glue or borax.
How to Make Edible Slime
These slimes are so good you can eat them!
Jellybean Slime is an edible slime and is fun for kids of all ages!
Taffy Slime is made by using a taffy recipe that is slightly under cooked. Because it is a real candy recipe, it is one of the most edible slimes available.
Peeps Slime is super tasty, and now that Peeps makes them year-round, it’s not just for Easter!
We make our bubblegum slime recipe two ways: one with actual gum and one made to look like gum! You can find both recipes here.
Unique Slime Recipes
Try these fun unique twists on basic slime.
Learn how to make lotion slime that is as soft and stretchy as you could possible imagine or ever want.
LOL doll slime is made from pink glitter but you can also use any surprise toy with this glitter slime!
Volcano Slime is a fun way to mix slime and sensory experiences with science experiments. The volcano really errupts!
Learn how to make Galaxy Slime and learn about the galaxy and polymer chains at the same time!
Unicorn Poop Slime is one of our favorite fun slime ideas that makes kids giggle every time they make it.
Rainbow Slime includes all the colors of the rainbow and can help teach about color mixing at the same time!
Tie Dye Slime is the perfect slime variation to try during the spring and summer when tie-dye is all the rage. Make this classic primary color version or try a pastel version, too!
Princess Luna Dark Unicorn Slime is the perfect slime to make for My Little Pony Lovers. Princess Luna matches the colors perfectly, and you can also make a Princess Celestia slime like in the video below.
Disney Slime
Check out these ideas for Disney Slime.
This Tinkerbell Slime Recipe is so perfect for Tink lovers!
This Sofia the First Slime has all the Disney princess vibes.
Fun Slime Ideas
Make these recipes for slime to celebrate every season! There’s something for every season!
Winter Slime Ideas
Our favorite Winter Slime recipe is so simple and easy to make!
Mardi Gras Slime
Make this adorable Mardi Gras slime recipe to celebrate Mardi Gras!
Valentine’s Day Slime Ideas
You’ll find our complete collection of Valentine’s Day slime here, but don’t miss our Valentine Glitter Slime, Slime Valentines, Pink Bouncy Ball Slime, Conversation Heart Slime, and Valentine Confetti Slime.
St. Patrick’s Day Slime
Check out our complete list of St. Patrick’s Day slime and then make our Rainbow Slime, Rainbow Bead Slime, Coin Slime, Green Bouncy Ball Slime, Fluffy Rainbow Slime, or Clear Glitter Rainbow Slime.
Spring Slime Variations
Make these recipes for slime during the spring! And don’t miss the complete list of spring slime ideas.
We really like making Fluffy Bunny Tail Slime.
Slime for Easter
Easter is another fun time to make slime! Check out our Easter slime collection then try your hand at making Chick Slime, Peeps Slime, and Edible Jelly Bean Slime.
Environmentally Friendly Slime
We like making this Baking Soda Earth Day Slime on Earth Day. It’s borax-free so it’s perfect for saving the planet and is a wonderful environmentally-friendly slime.
Slime Ideas for Cinco de Mayo
If you want to make slime on Cinco de Mayo, you’ll love our Cinco de Mayo Mexican Flag Slime.
Learn How to Make Slime for Summer
If you are looking for a slime recipe for summer, check out the complete list of summer slime ideas!
Our favorite summer slimes include Solar System Slime, Ice Cream Slime, Pirate Slime, Tie-Dye Slime, Ocean Slime, Beach Slime, and mermaid slime.
Making Kids Slime for 4th of July
If you’re ready to celebrate the birth of a country with slime, then check out our favorite Red White and Blue Fluffy Slime!
Fun Things to Put in Slime for Fall
If you love slime during the fall, then check out our glittery Fall Leaf Slime and Fluffy Apple Slime.
Other Ways to Make Slime for Halloween
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. And we love celebrating with seasonal slime!
Check out the complete list of Halloween slime creations here, or visit our favorites: Bubbling Eye of Toad Slime, Sticky Spider Web Slime, Creepy Zombie Slime, Gross Eyeball Slime, Spooky Ghost Slime, 3D Blood Model Slime, Boiling Blood Slime, and Skull Slime.
Easy DIY Slime Recipe for Thanksgiving
We even make slime at Thanksgiving! Preschoolers and toddlers will have a blast with this Taste-Safe Cranberry Slime.
Slime Play Ideas for Christmas
Christmas is a fun time to break out the slime! We have so many Christmas recipes for slime that we had to collect them all into one post!
But for our favorites, check out Minty Slime, How the Grinch Stole Christmas Slime, Taffy Slime, Christmas Lights Slime, and Santa Slime.
Supplies Needed to Make Slime
Find everything you need to make the recipes for slime on this list here!
Get the Slime Made Easy E-book for the ultimate guide to homemade slime!