How to Make a Homemade Slime for Children?

Today, we'll show you how to make homemade slime for kids using cornstarch, toothpaste, shaving foam, etc. Don't miss it!

Reviewed and approved by the pediatrician Marcela Alejandra Caffulli.

Written by Maria del Mar Garcia Martin

Last update: 27 December, 2022

The trend of making homemade slime for kids has been growing steadily. Nowadays, unicorn slime, gorilla slime, or crazy slime, have become one of the favorite materials of the little ones and craft enthusiasts.

Playdough, clay, and kinetic sand creations have moved to the back burner and slime is the biggest craze. If you also want to learn how to make this special substance, you can’t miss these original suggestions to create and decorate it. Let’s get to work!

How to make homemade slime for children?

Learn more about this new activity that, according to experts in the area, encourages children to develop their creativity, channel all their energy, and develop their concentration, among other benefits.

However, keep in mind that some of the elaborations require the help of an adult, as with any good cooking recipe. In addition to providing entertainment, it will allow you to bond together. Let’s get started!

1. Slime with cornstarch

The original slime, the one that was all the rage, is made with an activator called borax. However, we’ll present a version with cornstarch (corn starch) so you don’t have to use this substance. Of course… Don’t stop playing with the dough or it will harden!

Materials

• ½ cup of clear glue
• ½ cup of water
• ¼ cup cornstarch (contact lens liquid will also work)
• Food coloring or acrylic paint
• Glitter, stars, beads, and other decorative accessories

Step by step instructions

1. In a large, dry glass bowl, mix the water and glue.
2. When you get a homogeneous mixture, add the food coloring of your choice.
3. For a personalized touch, add some glitter, stars, or any other similar element.
4. Now, add two cups of cornstarch little by little, stirring constantly. If it’s too liquid, add more.
5. Finally, mix the dough with both hands until you notice that it acquires a sticky consistency.

2. Slime with shaving foam

If you want to give a different consistency to the material without resorting to borax and achieve a soft, fluffy texture with a pleasant smell, use shaving foam in the elaboration!

Materials

• Shaving foam
• White school glue or transparent glue
• Liquid detergent
• Food coloring or acrylic paint
• A glass bowl
• A silicone spatula
• A spoon

Step by step instructions

1. First, add the white or clear glue to the glass bowl which, as in the previous case, has to be clean and dry.
2. To make your slime colorful, add food coloring or acrylic paint in the shade you like.
3. Then, stir until the glue and the food coloring are well mixed.
4. Now, it’s time to add the shaving foam to get that special texture. It’s very important to use gentle enveloping movements, from top to bottom, so as not to lose the spongy consistency.
5. Add more paste according to how the dough is and finally, add the liquid detergent little by little, stirring constantly. You’ll see that by this time, the dough will have a good consistency.
6. Finally, take the slime out of the bowl and knead it with both hands until it stops feeling sticky. And that’s it!

Slime with shampoo, an original way to make homemade slime for children

As with shaving foam, shampoo will also make your slime smell delicious. If you’re thinking of giving a creation made with this material as a gift, this is a detail that the receiver will be grateful for.

Materials

• ½ cup of shampoo
• Sugar
• Popsicle stick for mixing

Step by step instructions

1. In a large bowl, pour the shampoo.
2. Add a teaspoon of sugar and mix.
3. Once done, continue adding sugar until the shampoo has a sticky, elastic texture.
4. Keep the container in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
5. Finally, when you see that it has acquired the desired texture, take it out of the refrigerator and use it.

4. Rainbow slime with toothpaste

Along the same lines as with the previous idea, we invite you to take advantage of toothpaste and give another approach to this material. This way, the little ones will become familiar with those elements they already know and the experience will be even more fun.

Materials

• Toothpaste
• White glue
• Food coloring of different colors
• A popsicle stick for mixing

Step by step instructions

1. Pour the glue in equal parts in the containers (you’ll need as many as colored slimes you want to create, as you’ll have to add one color per container).
2. Then gradually pour in the toothpaste and mix with the popsicle stick until you get the desired texture.
3. Work each of the doughs to make strips.
4. Finally, combine all the strips (side by side) to create a beautiful rainbow slime.

5. Magnetic slime

Thanks to the iron in this dough, everything will be attracted to it. However, make sure there’s an adult involved in the elaboration, as you’ll need to use borax.

Materials

• 250 g of white glue
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon of borax
• 30 g of iron filings
• 1 strong magnet

Step by step instructions

1. To begin, put the glue and the borax in a plastic container (this is very important) and add half a cup of warm water.
2. Once mixed, add the iron filings and knead again.
3. Take the magnet and move it around until you get the slime to react – enjoy!

Making a homemade slime for kids is a perfect activity to spend time with your family

As you’ve seen, there are different ways to make this dough, depending on the preferences and tastes of each child. The best part? The materials are completely homemade and easy to handle.

In addition, little ones will be able to create the material to make their own figures with their own hands; something that, as well explained by the specialists of the American Academy of Pediatrics, favors their personal and intellectual development.

On the other hand, there are also different types of edible slime that you’ll also love to try: Nutella, condensed milk, marshmallows, or gummy bears. What are you waiting for to get your hands in the dough and let yourself be taken away by this trend?