The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Slime: What It Is, How to Make It, and What You Need

Last Updated on 04/03/2025 by Nell Marie

Slime has taken the world by storm, and for good reason! It’s fun to play with, easy to customize, and simple to make at home. From bright colors and glitter to scented or fluffy variations, there are endless ways to get creative with it.

If you’re looking for a fun craft with the kids or just love the oddly satisfying feeling of stretching and squishing slime, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making your own.

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You’ll learn about different recipes, the best ingredients to use, and tips for getting the perfect texture. Plus, making slime at home can be a great sensory activity, helping with relaxation and focus while also being a fun hands-on project.

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What Is Slime?

Slime is a soft, stretchy, and gooey substance that people love playing with because of its unique texture. It can be stretched, molded, squished, and even popped like a bubble.

It’s made through a simple chemical reaction that turns liquid ingredients into a thicker, pliable material. Some slimes are super stretchy, while others are more rubbery, depending on the ingredients used.

Slime can be made in different colors, textures, and even scents, making it a fun and creative sensory experience for kids and adults alike.

What Is Homemade Slime?

Homemade slime is exactly what it sounds like—slime that you make yourself instead of buying from the store.

The best part about making your own is that you can customize it however you like.

Want sparkly pink slime?

No problem!

Prefer a fluffy, cloud-like texture?

You can make that too.

Most DIY slime recipes use just a few simple ingredients that you may already have at home.

How to Make Homemade Slime

Making slime at home is easy and fun.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white school glue (like Elmer’s)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2–3 tablespoons contact lens solution (must contain boric acid and sodium borate)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Glitter or beads (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour the glue into a mixing bowl. If you want colored slime, mix in a few drops of food coloring. Stir well.
2. Add the baking soda and mix until fully combined.
3. Slowly add the contact lens solution, one tablespoon at a time, stirring continuously.
4. As the slime starts to form, knead it with your hands until it’s stretchy and no longer sticky. Add more contact solution if needed.
5. If desired, mix in glitter or small beads for extra fun!

Storage Tip:

Keep your slime in an airtight container when not in use to prevent it from drying out.

Let me know if you’d like more variations!

Fun Variations to Try

• Glitter Slime: Mix in some glitter to make it sparkle.
• Fluffy Slime: Add a few pumps of shaving cream to make it soft and airy.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Slime: Use glow-in-the-dark glue or add glow pigment to make it light up.
• Crunchy Slime: Stir in small foam beads or plastic confetti for a unique texture.

Tips for the Best Homemade Slime

Always add the activator slowly. Too much can make the slime stiff instead of stretchy.

Store slime in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.

If your slime gets too sticky, add a bit more activator and knead it well.

Supervise young kids when making slime, especially when using borax or other activators.

Supplies Needed for Homemade Slime (No Borax)

✔ 1 cup white school glue (Elmer’s or any PVA glue)

✔ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

✔ 2–3 tablespoons contact lens solution (must contain boric acid & sodium borate)

✔ Food coloring (optional)

✔ Glitter or small beads (optional)

✔ Mixing bowl

✔ Spoon or spatula (for stirring)

✔ Measuring spoons

✔ Airtight container (for storage)

Closing Tips

🧪 Use the Right Contact Lens Solution – Make sure it contains boric acid and sodium borate, or the slime won’t activate properly.

🥄 Add the Contact Solution Slowly – Too much can make the slime stiff. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more as needed.

💡 Knead, Knead, Knead! – Slime gets less sticky the more you work with it. If it still sticks to your hands, add a tiny bit more contact solution.

🌈 Customize Your Slime! – Mix in glitter, beads, sequins, or even scented extracts for fun variations.

🛑 Avoid Over-Mixing – Stir just enough to combine ingredients, then switch to kneading. Over-mixing can make slime too firm.

📦 Store It Properly – Keep slime in an airtight container so it stays soft and stretchy longer.

🚸 Supervise Young Kids – While this recipe is borax-free, remind kids that slime is for playing, not eating!

More Recipes!

If you want a fluffier cloud like slime, check out this recipe with only three ingredients.

Don’t have glue or borax handy? Check out this recipe for a quick slime DIY.

If you prefer to learn by watching, check out this video on YouTube, which walks you through the process of making slime.

Closing Thoughts

Homemade slime is a fun and easy project that anyone can enjoy. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create endless variations of this squishy, stretchy craft.

So grab some glue and get creative—your perfect slime is just a few mixes away!

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