How to Make SLIME!

A fun experiment for your kiddos – making homemade slime.

Many moons ago I shared this experiment on my old blog – it was actually one of my very first blog posts back in my “homeschooling from now on” days.

This is Jack & Josh being silly back around that time. I can’t believe how time has flown. They are both in the army now. Hug your little ones, because they don’t stay that way long!

If you don’t know, I love science. I actually intended to go to college to become a biologist. But life sometimes takes a detour and God does other things in our lives.

So since I have such a love for science, we took every opportunity to do experiments. Here’s Jen doing an experiment to show differences in density. (She’s off and married now!)

Josh beginning a chemistry project, growing crystals.

My kids loved homeschooling. I didn’t have to drag them out of bed and force them to get started. Here they are working on some spelling puzzles with their breakfast. And this after they had already done the chores!

And then there’s this. Jack with his own chemistry experiment…..making SLIME!

Now, how do you make that cool slime? Read on!

How to Make Slime

Here’s what you need:

• 1½ teaspoon Borax
• ¾ c water (divided)
• ¼ c white glue (Elmer’s, etc)
• food coloring (optional)
• ziploc bag

How to Make it:

1. Take a half cup of water and add the Borax (approx 4% solution). Stir this in a jar or glass until it is completely dissolved.
2. In another jar combine the remaining water and the glue.
3. In a ziploc bag, combine the borax solution and the glue solution.
4. Add a couple drops of food coloring if you like to make this a fun color.
5. Seal the bag and knead the mixture.
6. Dig in and have fun! Remember to wash your hands after playing.
7. Keep your slime in the sealed bag in the refrigerator when not playing with it to keep it longer. Unfortunately, it may eventually dry out or grow mold. Just throw it out and start again!

The Science of Making Slime:

The borax is acting as the cross linking agent or “connector” for the glue (polyvinyl acetate) molecules.

Once the glue molecules join together to form even larger molecules called polymers, you get a thickened gel very similar to slime.

Have fun and make some in different colors!

Print

How to Make SLIME!

A fun experiment for your kiddos – making homemade slime.

Author Constance Smith – Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Equipment and Materials

• measuring spoons
• measuring cup
• jar

Instructions

• Take a half cup of water and add the Borax (approx 4% solution). Stir this in a jar or glass until it is completely dissolved.
• In another jar combine the remaining water and the glue.
• In a ziploc bag, combine the borax solution and the glue solution.
• Add a couple drops of food coloring if you like to make this a fun color.
• Seal the bag and knead the mixture.
• Dig in and have fun! Remember to wash your hands after playing.
• Keep your slime in the sealed bag in the refrigerator when not playing with it to keep it longer. Unfortunately it may eventually dry out or grow mold. Just throw it out and start again!

Have You Made This?Share a pic and tag me on Instagram! @CosmopolitanCornbread