Slime may be a hobby for others, but for our family, it’s a passion. We’ve tried over 100 slime recipes, and we’ve tried just about every variation there is, from classic borax slime to baking soda slime. Along the way, we’ve found the tricks and tips that will work to make sure your slime comes out right every time you make it. I’ve made a free printable slime troubleshooting guide for you so that you’ll never have a slime fail again!
Follow along with these tips and tricks and don’t forget to download your slime troubleshooting guide that also contains our favorite slime recipe to take with you the next time you want to make slime.
We use our slime for sensory play, science projects, STEM activities, as a learning tool, and it also makes fun party favors and inexpensive gifts!
SLIME TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE: MAKE PERFECT SLIME EVERY TIME!
So, you want to make slime. So you get some glue, and you get some borax or laundry starch, you mix it up, and bam!
A gloppy mess.
What’s a person to do?
Follow along with this handy slime troubleshooting guide and you’ll never have a slime fail again.
WHY SLIME?
Slime has fascinated individuals for an entire generation. Today’s slime is a bit less messy than the old slime you would see on TV, but there hasn’t been a year since 1990 that slime hasn’t been popular with the kiddos. We make slime regularly as a sensory experience for our kiddos, and also as a science lesson. Slime is a great example of polymer bonds, and almost acts as a non-Newtonian fluid with some recipes. We like to use slime to test the scientific process, to learn about chemical bonds, and to have fun with something squishy.
WHY SLIME FAILS
Slime can be a tricky beast before you get the hang of it. But slime usually fails for one of three reasons:
- You used the wrong ingredients. We have the best luck with Elmer’s glue and Sta-flo laundry starch.
- You didn’t follow the recipe. Ratios are incredibly important for slime. We usually use a 1-1-1 ratio with water, starch, and glue.
- Your ingredients failed. Sometimes, a batch of glue or starch won’t be mixed right, and that can cause slime to fail.
FIXING COMMON SLIME ISSUES
Too Runny
You probably used the wrong kind of glue or didn’t put in enough starch or borax. Add more and keep mixing.
Too Goopy
You may have put in too much starch or borax. You might be able to fix this by adding more glue or water, but this is the hardest problem to fix, and you might have to throw the slime out.
Too Stringy
You may not have kneaded the slime enough. I’ve found that letting it rest for about 2 minutes then kneading again helps fix any stringy problems.
HOW TO MAKE SLIME THE EASY WAY
We’ve made slime so many times, we’re slime experts, but you can be as well when you follow along with our handy guides. You’ll find tons of slime recipes and guides to follow to supply you with enough slime projects to last through this year and as long as you want!
Make sure to follow the tips and tricks in this guide to ensure your slime comes out right. You don’t want to waste ingredients! Nothing is worse than realizing you mixed a recipe wrong or forgot an important ingredient. Always read your list and check it twice just like Santa would.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to get your slime troubleshooting guide and to learn more about making slime properly. Soon, you’ll be a slime expert!
SLIME RECIPES TO TRY
MAGNESIUM SLIME
Click on the links above to get a recipe for each slime pictured. Making slime is easy and fun when you use one of our numerous homemade slime recipes.
MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT: The Ultimate List of Slime Recipes!
SUPPLIES
This post contains affiliate links.
- Elmer’s clear PVA glue
- Water
- Liquid laundry starch
- Bowl, fork, and measuring cup
- Food coloring
Elmer’s Liquid School Glue, Premium Clear, Washable, 1 Gallon, 1 Count – Great For Making SlimeElmer’s Liquid School Glue, Washable, 1 Gallon, 1 Count – Great For Making SlimePurex Sta-Flo Liquid Starch, 64 OunceBarbasol Original Thick and Rich Shaving Cream for Men, 10 Ounce, Pack of 6Food Coloring Liqua-Gel – 12 Color Variety Kit in .75 fl. oz. (20ml) Bottles
RECIPE: Liquid Laundry Starch Slime
THE ULTIMATE SLIME TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
LEARN ALL ABOUT SLIME MAKING HERE
Here are the slime resources I mentioned above, click on the photos or links below to learn more!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE SLIME TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OUR SLIME PLAY MATS
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR SLIME RECIPES E-BOOK
You might also like our list of spectacular STEM activities!
