Save This For Later
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Quick Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white school glue
- 1/4 cup water
- A few drops of food coloring (optional)
- 1/2 tablespoon borax + 1/2 cup warm water (activator)
Directions
Mix glue + 1/4 cup water. Add food coloring if you’d like. Dissolve borax in warm water — this helps it dissolve more evenly. Slowly add the activator to the glue mixture, stirring until it becomes slime.
A little activator goes a long way, so add it gradually.
Full Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Glue Base
Stir 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup white school glue together until smooth.
2. Add Color (Optional)
Add a few drops of food coloring to brighten things up.
3. Make the Activator
Dissolve 1/2 tablespoon borax in 1/2 cup warm water.
Warm water helps the borax dissolve fully and makes the slime turn out more consistent.
4. Combine and Stir
Slowly pour the borax solution into the glue mixture, stirring continuously.
You’ll see it thicken almost immediately. Once it pulls together, knead it gently with your hands until it’s smooth.
Borax Slime Recipe (Classic Version)
If you’re looking specifically for a borax slime recipe, this is the classic method most families rely on because it works consistently every time.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white glue
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoon borax
- 1/2 cup warm water
- Food coloring optional
Method
Stir glue + water. Add food coloring. Mix borax into warm water. Add activator little by little until slime forms. Knead until stretchy.
Fun Slime Variations
Glow-in-the-Dark Slime
Swap regular glue for glow-in-the-dark glue and dim the lights for extra fun.
Glitter Slime
Add loose glitter to the glue before mixing in the activator.
Extra-Stretchy Slime
Add 1 teaspoon of lotion to the glue mixture before adding the activator. This gives it a softer, stretchier texture that kids love.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why is my slime sticky?
Add a bit more activator very slowly, kneading between each addition. Over-activating is the most common mistake, so go tiny.
Why is my slime too stiff or rubbery?
Add 1 teaspoon of warm water and knead again. It usually softens right up.
Can I make slime without borax?
Yes. A glue + baking soda + contact solution method works too.
(If you want, I can add a full no-borax version.)
How do we store slime?
Keep it in an airtight container or zip-top bag. It lasts several days.
Is borax safe?
Used correctly, yes. Just keep activator away from little hands until you’re ready and have everyone wash up afterward.
What’s the science behind slime?
When the borax solution hits the glue, the molecules link together and thicken. That’s the moment your liquid turns into a non-Newtonian fluid — it behaves like both a liquid and a solid depending on how you handle it.
Video Tutorial
If your kids are visual learners, this simple walkthrough is helpful:
Keep Exploring
If slime is a hit, you might also enjoy our visit to the SlooMoo Institute in Chicago, a fully immersive “slime museum.”
You can also explore more hands-on projects in our:
Conclusion
Slime is an easy, budget-friendly project that brings a little everyday science to your kitchen table. With a few basic ingredients, you can try endless variations and create something kids can stretch, squish, and explore for hours.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
