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in Science Experiments

How to Make Slime with Borax (original slime recipe)

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Before today, I had never attempted to make homemade slime. It seemed like it would be intimidating and take along time. But, it turns out, how to make slime with borax is quite easy!

Making a slime recipe with borax is one of our favorite ways to teach kids about chemical bonds and makes a fun slime science experiment for kids!

Want the best borax slime recipe? Look no further than this easy slime recipe that doubles as a chemistry experiment! Kids will love this classic slime! #stemactivities #stem #slime #slimerecipe

How to Make Original Slime

Since this first attempt at slime, we have made tons of other versions!  This version is made with Borax, and is the classic Borax slime that most people think about when you think about homemade slime.

But there are a lot more ways to make slime! You can see all our slime recipes in one place here.

Check out the full list of summer slime recipes!

If you are ready to take on the challenge of homemade slime here is how we did it:

How to make slime with borax is quite easy! Making a slime recipe with borax is one of our favorite ways to teach kids about chemical bonds and makes a fun science experiment for kids!

The Original Slime Recipe with Borax

Read on to see how to make this easy slime recipe! And if you love this slime recipe, try these other versions: fluffy slime, edible candy slime, laundry starch slime, and baking soda slime. 

Borax slime is one of the best slime recipes because it is easier to make than many of the common variations. Borax slime also lasts longer, which means you can keep playing with it for weeks, rather than just a few days.

When borax slime gets too sticky, you can add a bit more of the borax liquid to the slime and return it to its original stretchiness! 

steam challenge cards

The Science Behind Making Slime

Slime is made when boron mixes with the polymer chains in the glue, creating strong, but flexible bonds between the molecules. This bonding process is known as crosslinking.

Crosslinking creates molecular bonds that are crossed like a thatch roof, rather than in one long segment like a chain.

Slime forms when polyvinyl alcohol and borate ion mix. The polyvinyl alcohol is attracted to borate ion, which causes them to form long chain molecules.

When this reaction occurs, the two separate materials mix and slime is formed.

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!

Slime Tips and Tricks 

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).

How to Make Slime Out of Borax

Follow these directions and you’ll have the best slime with clear glue and borax!

printable slime guide

The Foolproof Slime Recipe

Follow these simple directions to make the original Borax slime!

 

broax slime

Slime Ingredients:

This post contains affiliate links.

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

  • Borax
  • Elmer’s clear school glue (other brands just don’t work as well!)
  • Food coloring
  • Glitter

Borax Slime Safety Warning

Make exactly according to this recipe, we haven’t had any problems with slime causing allergic reactions or skin burns. However, some individuals may be more sensitive than others.

Don’t let kids play with this slime recipe if you notice any ill effects. Additionally, only make this version of slime if your kids will not put it in their mouths. Borax powder (and glue) should not be consumed.

Borax Slime Directions

Mix about ½ a cup of water and a teaspoon of borax until the borax dissolves.

slime with borax

Dump 1/2 a cup of clear glue into a separate bowl, and add a few drops of food coloring and a bit of glitter if you like.

My kids love sparkly things, so we added glitter, but if your kids don’t like sparkles as much, just add color.  Add 1/2 a cup of water to the glue mixture.

borax slime

Pour the borax mixture into the glue mixture. Stir for a few seconds with the spoon, then use your hands for the rest of the mixing.

traditional slime

The Results

easy slime for kids

We thought our slime would be really oozy, but it turned out stiffer than we thought it would. This is because Borax slime produces a stiffer consistency when used with clear glue.

If you use it with white glue, it will be a little more flexible.

glitter slime

However, it will never be as flexible and stretchy as laundry starch slime, which is why we prefer using laundry starch for our slime.

Although contrary to popular belief, laundry starch slime does contain borax and is not a borax-free slime.

slime recipe

When you pull the slime slowly, it stretches like hot cheese. When you pull it quickly, it breaks apart like cold cheese.

The girls loved squishing the slime, watching the pieces reform into a solid whole, and in Bo’s case, she loved crumbling our slime into tiny pieces.

kid-safe slime

Don’t forget to check out the other posts in the 31 days of STEM activities for kids series!

Want the best borax slime recipe? Look no further than this easy slime recipe that doubles as a chemistry experiment! Kids will love this classic slime! #stemactivities #stem #slime #slimerecipe
steam challenge cards

More  Easy Slime Recipes

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

Laundry Starch Slime

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

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Filed Under: Science Experiments Tagged With: slime

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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