Recipe for Slime

I got a couple of requests for the slime recipe and I know that we are going to want to make some more in the future, so here is a recipe I found on the internet. I know it's the same as the one we got b/c the information that came with our slime ingredients were the same.

Have fun! There's also a Toddler Slime, but we were given the original...I did have to be careful about Joshua trying to eat it, so for those whose kids like to put things in their mouth, beware!

SLIMEY SLIME

Supplies
- Elmer’s White Glue
- Borax
- Water
- Glass or plastic bowl
- Plastic or wooden spoon or spatula
- Medium sized jar or glass
- Resealable plastic bags (optional)
- Food coloring (optional)
Note: Borax can be found with the laundry detergent at most grocery stores.

Making Slime

1. In the bowl, mix ½ cup of white glue with 1 cup of water, using the spoon.
2. Add a couple drops of food coloring if desired.
3. In the jar or glass, blend ½ teaspoon Borax with ½ cup of water.
4. Slowly add the Borax and water mixture to the glue mixture, stirring constantly.
You can play with your slime right away or store it in resealable plastic bags for a couple weeks.

Safety note: while this slime is non-toxic, do NOT eat it. Wash your hands well after playing with the slime.

Mess Quotient

If you do not use food coloring, your slime should wash off most surfaces and out of most washable fabrics. Food coloring will stain your skin for quite a while and may stain clothing permanently, so use care if you create colored slime.

The Science Behind Slime

When you make slime, you are making polymers. A polymer is a long, chain-like molecule. The ingredients in slime combine to cause a chemical reaction, which results in the polymer. The Borax works as a cross-linker and binds the polymer chains together. Experiment with making it stickier (less Borax) or wetter (more Borax). All plastics are polymers. Other polymers you might find around your home include nylon, polyester, rayon, Formica, Teflon and Styrofoam.

Uses For Your Slime

You don’t really need a “use” for your slime. It is fun to play with, poke at and squish. But you might want to try some of the following:

- Blindfold your friends and have them stick their hands in it at a Halloween party; tell them it is lizard gizzards

- On a hot day, split the slime up among your friends and have a slime toss battle. Make sure to use the un-colored slime and have your battle outdoors for easy cleanup.

- Use a well-kneaded ball of thick slime to make impressions of the newspaper comics.

TODDLER SLIME

If your kids are still small or apt to place things in their mouths, you can make this simple toddler slime instead.

Supplies
- Water
- Corn starch
- Glass or plastic bowl
- Plastic or wooden spoon or spatula
- Resealable plastic bags (optional)
Making Slime

1. Stir 1 cup of corn starch with 1 cup of water until it is well-blended.
2. If desired, you may add food coloring to the mixture to tint the slime.
3. This slime may be stored for several days in a resealable plastic bag.

Mess Quotient

If you do use food coloring, your slime may stain skin, fabrics and other surfaces. Without food coloring, your slime will easily come off most washable surfaces.