Welcome back to Spangler Science Saturdays in October. Halloween just isn’t Halloween at my house without a huge batch of slime. At this time of year, my daughters’ friends hang out at our house begging me to make slime with them. It’s sticky. It’s icky. It’s gooey. It’s a must-have at Halloween.
Making slime is also a great way to teach about the properties of a polymer… or a long chain of molecules. The molecules start out as a liquid in this slime recipe but are quickly hooked together with the introduction of the Borax. The Borax solution is the “cross-linker” in the creation of the Slime polymer. Borax molecules are like tiny paper clips that hook together the long chains of molecules making a slippery, gooey concoction known as Slime. Slime can either be made using Elmer’s Glue or a liquid called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
Click here for more information on the science of slime.
Elmer’s Glue Slime
You can make glue slime from materials you have at home. Here’s an easy recipe to make a big batch of Elmer’s Glue Slime. The measurements do not have to be exact but it’s a good idea to start with the proportions below for the first batch. Just vary the quantities of each ingredient to get a new and interesting batch of goo. This recipe is based on using a brand new 8-ounce bottle of Elmer’s Glue. Empty the entire bottle of glue into a mixing bowl. Fill the empty bottle with warm water and shake (okay, put the lid on first and then shake). Pour the glue-water mixture into the mixing bowl and use the spoon to mix well. Add the glue-water mixture to the glue in the mixing bowl. Go ahead… add a drop or two of food coloring.
Measure 1/2 cup of warm water into the plastic cup and add a teaspoon of Borax powder to the water. Stir the solution – don’t worry if all of the powder dissolves. This Borax solution is the secret linking agent that causes the Elmer’s Glue molecules to turn into slime.
While stirring the glue in the mixing bowl, slowly add a little of the Borax solution. Immediately you’ll feel the long strands of molecules starting to connect. It’s time to abandon the spoon and use your hands to do the serious mixing. Keep adding the Borax solution to the glue mixture (don’t stop mixing) until you get a perfect batch of Elmer’s slime. You might like your slime more stringy while others like firm slime. Hey, you’re the head slime mixologist – do it your way! When you’re finished playing with your Elmer’s slime, seal it up in a zipper-lock bag for safekeeping.
Elmer’s Slime is very easy to make, but it’s not exactly what you’ll find at the toy store. So, what’s the “real” slime secret? It’s an ingredient called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The cross-linking agent is still Borax, but the resulting slime is longer lasting, more transparent… it’s the real deal.
Whether you use Elmer’s Glue Slime or PVA slime, try using the following recipes to make the best spooky slime ever. Just keep in mind that PVA slime is clear, slippery and more conducive to the following additions. Elmer’s Glue Slime tends to be thicker and not see-through but you can still add things to it for a spooky effect. Steve Spangler Science makes a great slime kit, that includes PVA, Borax and complete mixing instructions.
Snake Eyes Slime
Following the mixing directions for Elmer’s slime or PVA slime but add a couple handfuls of Styrofoam beads to the PVA or glue solutions before you mix in the Borax.
Trick or Treat Slime
Try mixing in small party favors such as plastic spiders, plastic candy decorations and anything else you can imagine, for a super spooky batch of slime.
Eyeballs Slime
Steve Spangler Science also offers a variety of polymers that can be added to your slime for a special ooey, gooey effect. My favorites are the Jelly Marbles because they feel just like eyeballs! You can also use Water Orbs, also sold under Orbeez. They are all a perfect addition for a disgustingly fun batch of slime.
For more slime recipes and slime science, visit SteveSpanglerScience.com.
Guest blogger Susan Wells is the mom to two girls, ages 5 and 9. She enjoys enriching her daughter’s education by finding the learning in everything. They especially enjoy science activities. She works as a blogger and social media strategist for Steve Spangler Science, a Colorado company dedicated to helping teachers and parents get children excited about science.
Author: Susan Wells
