Making slime yourself is quite easy.. The popular "chewing gum" for hands consists of a base and an activator. A wide range of alternatives allows you to create dozens of combinations of slime without a thickener.
What is slime?
Slime is a soft stretchy anti-stress toy. It simultaneously resembles elastic jelly and the previously known "slime". Original slimes have the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid. In a calm state, they spread over a flat surface, and when touched, they become dense.
A few years ago, the slime trend was revived. New variations of this entertainment appeared. Various fillers that provide tactile pleasure began to be added to the sticky base: foam balls, beads, glitter, plastic figures, etc. Slime is more of an aesthetically pleasing toy than an educational one. However, children aged 2-5 can play with the “gum” for their hands and develop fine motor skills.
Is it possible to make slime without a thickener at home and from what?
You can make slime yourself – you only need a few ingredients. When mixed, they enter into a chemical reaction and turn into a viscous mass. The classic recipe includes 2 components: glue and activator. Various chemical solutions serve as activators. The most common formula for “slime”: PVA glue, sodium tetraborate (borax) and water.
There are dozens of other slime recipes. Ready-made toys differ in density, texture, drying speed. Depending on the composition, they can be transparent, matte, glossy, with a metallic effect.
The instructions below in the article will tell you how to make slime without a thickener. First, you should decide which ingredients are more accessible, and then choose a suitable recipe.
List of the most common ingredients for slime:
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The average cost of one slime is 50-100 rubles.
How to Make Slime? Step by Step Instructions
First, you need to prepare your work area. It should be clean, free of dust and debris – otherwise, particles can get into the mass and spoil its texture. The list of necessary equipment includes a pair of cellophane or latex gloves – they will protect your hands from dryness and peeling that may occur when in contact with substances.
You also need to prepare a couple of ceramic, plastic or glass bowls, a measuring cup and a plastic spoon/spatula. You can't use metal, as in some cases it will cause the slime to oxidize. Children should make slime under adult supervision, as many components can cause allergies or suffocation, or cause a burn.
From shampoo and salt
Ingredients:
- sugar – 1 tsp;
- shampoo 50 ml;
- plastic bag;
- inventory.
Mix the ingredients, pour the mixture into a bag and leave on the top shelf of the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. The shelf life of the slime is 1-2 days.
From plasticine
Regular children's play dough is very close to slime in its properties. Airy matte slime can be made from soft children's play dough, water and gelatin. You will need a stove and a saucepan.
50 g of gelatin should be dissolved in boiling water and left to cool for an hour. After the time has passed, the solidified mixture should be heated again. Small pieces of plasticine are added to the hot water in a ratio of 1:2. The mixture should be stirred well and the melted gelatin should be poured in. The mass is placed in the refrigerator for half an hour.
From flour
This slime is hypoallergenic. The recipe does not use glue or tetraborate, which can cause allergies. This toy can be given to children, but only under adult supervision.
You will need:
- water (warm) – 150 ml;
- baby shampoo – 15 ml;
- wheat flour – 150 g;
- food coloring;
- inventory.
The shampoo needs to be emulsified – dissolved in water, without allowing foam to form. Food coloring is added to the resulting solution. Next, slowly pour flour into the liquid, stirring. The resulting mixture is thoroughly mixed, there should be no lumps. The slime is placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator for half an hour – this way it will thicken, but will not freeze.
From nail polish
Nail polish can be found in any home where a woman lives. However, this option is quite toxic and is prohibited for use by children. Most polishes contain the poison formaldehyde. Also, the resulting slime will be greasy and smell bad.
You will need:
- nail polish – 1 bottle;
- sunflower oil – 1/4 tsp;
- inventory.
Pour oil and varnish into a container, mix until a dense homogeneous lump is formed. An alternative method is to use borax, water and PVA. However, here the nail polish only serves as a dye. The glue must be mixed with the varnish, add water to the mixture in a 1:1 ratio. Then tetraborate is added. Its amount depends on the density of the varnish. The mass must be mixed.
From marshmallows
Americans have come up with a way to make slime without a thickener. They created an edible slime from a traditional treat – marshmallows. These small soufflés differ from traditional marshmallows in that they are made not from applesauce, but from sugar and cornstarch. These ingredients are often used in slime making.
This hand gum can be given to small children. To prepare, simply melt a pack of marshmallows in a saucepan over low heat or a water bath. The melted soufflé will form a viscous mass.
The cooled mixture can be used as a slime until it hardens. The downside of this recipe is that after drying, the melted marshmallow is quite difficult to remove from fabric. It can be removed from furniture surfaces using a sponge soaked in hot water.
From baking soda
Baking soda is often used to make slime. It is an activator and also gives the toy a nice grainy texture.
Ingredients for baking soda slime:
- PVA glue - 100 ml;
- baking soda – 2 tbsp;
- warm water – 50 ml;
- inventory.
The glue is diluted in warm water, and dye can be added if desired. In a separate container, the soda is mixed with water until a liquid paste is formed. Slowly pour the soda into the glue, stirring constantly. The slime can be used immediately.
Magnetic version
Magnetic slime is a toy that will capture the attention of both children and adults. It is made quite simply. All the "special effects" are achieved using iron oxide powder. This is the smallest magnetic powder shavings. Most often, it is red. It can be purchased at a chemical experiment store or on Chinese trading platforms.
You will also need a neodymium magnet – it is inexpensive (about 100 rubles) and liquid starch. Liquid starch is a laundry detergent sold in household stores and some pharmacies. It can be replaced with a mixture of water and corn starch in a 4:1 ratio.
List of ingredients for slime:
- liquid starch – 100 ml;
- PVA glue – 100 ml;
- iron oxide powder – 100 ml;
- water – 100 ml;
- inventory;
- magnet.
In a bowl, dilute the glue and water. Add iron oxide powder to the mixture and stir. Pour liquid starch into the mass, stirring.
The mixture should be homogeneous, moderately thick, light gray in color with powder inclusions.
Gradually, it will acquire a darker shade. It is recommended to leave the slime in a plastic container for 10 minutes. It may separate a little - this is normal. When a neodymium magnet approaches, iron oxide particles begin to reach for it. As a result, the elastic mass stretches and quickly changes shape.
From toothpaste
One of the most budget-friendly options. The result is a soft but short-lived slime.
Ingredients:
- toothpaste (gel is recommended) – 1 tbsp;
- liquid soap – 1 tbsp;
- wheat flour 5 tsp;
- inventory.
Mix toothpaste and soap. Add flour to the mixture and mix well. To make it homogeneous, knead it thoroughly with your hands.
From hand cream
A nice slime can be made from regular hand cream based on oils and glycerin. A thick product that is not expired is best.
Ingredients:
- hand cream (or baby cream) – 3 tsp;
- dishwashing liquid – 2 tsp;
- baking soda – 0.5 tsp;
- plastic bag;
- inventory.
Mix soda into dishwashing liquid. Add cream to the mixture and stir. Pour the mixture into a bag and leave on the top shelf of the refrigerator for 24 hours. If time is short, the slime can be used after 8 hours.
From sugar
The slime will be textured and grainy. The slime is similar to a similar formula with shampoo and salt. Thanks to the chemical base of the shampoo, the granulated sugar does not melt for a long time.
The list of components is simple:
- sugar – 1 tsp;
- shampoo or shower gel 50 ml;
- plastic bag;
- inventory.
Mix and stir all the ingredients, pour the mixture into a bag and leave for 2 hours. After this time, the slime can be used.
Air slime
"Fluffy slime" is an airy variation of hand gum. Visually, it resembles cake cream and looks best in pastel colors. It can be made from PVA and shaving foam.
You will need:
- shaving foam;
- PVA glue (white);
- sodium tetraborate;
- water;
- dye;
- inventory.
Sodium tetraborate is mixed with water at room temperature - it should be a liquid solution. In another bowl, you need to add shaving foam. The size of the foam ball is the size of the finished slime.
Pour PVA glue into the same container. Its amount depends on the size of the foam ball. The mass should be viscous, without lumps. At this stage, the dye is mixed in. Then slowly pour the solution from the first bowl into the mixture, stirring constantly. When the slime stops sticking to your hands, it is ready for use.
From boric acid
Boric acid is relatively safe for humans. It is included in some compresses and cosmetics for the skin. Boric acid acts as an activator and can be used as a substitute for borax in the classic recipe.
To make slime you will need:
- PVA glue;
- boric acid;
- baking soda;
- hot water;
- inventory.
As before, first add PVA glue to the container. Decor can be added to it if desired. Separately prepare a water-soda solution. Pour boric acid into the glue and mix. Next, add 3 tbsp of solution to the mixture. Put the slime in a plastic container for 2 hours. After the time has passed, it can be used.
From shower gel
It is made in the same way as slime from shampoo or dishwashing liquid.
Ingredients:
- sugar – 1 tsp;
- shower gel – 50 ml;
- plastic bag;
- inventory.
Mix all the ingredients, pour the mixture into a bag and leave it to form in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours. Some shower gels can delaminate when exposed to salt, so it is better to use granulated sugar.
From chewing gum
Chewing gum itself can act as a slime, as it is close to it in texture and other properties. Under the influence of heat, chewing gum becomes more viscous and pliable. To make slime, you will need a pack of chewing gum and some warm water.
Those who are not squeamish can chew the plates or pads themselves. The mass should be poured with warm water and left to soften for 10 minutes. An alternative method is to crush the pads with a knife and pour boiling water over them. In the cold, the lump of gum will become hard and non-plastic. The properties return to the slime when it gets into the heat again.
From a napkin or pipifax
The following instructions will tell you how to make slime without a thickener. You can entertain your child with a paper toy and dishwashing liquid. In addition to these ingredients, you will need 1.5 tbsp. of wheat flour.
Table napkins or multi-layer toilet paper should be torn into small pieces (0.5-1 cm). Pour dishwashing liquid over the scraps so that it slightly covers the paper layer. Pour flour into the mixture and mix well. If the hand gum is too liquid, add flour. If it is hard, pour in dishwashing liquid.
With lens fluid
In this case, contact lens care liquid is an "activator", an analogue of sodium tetraborate. The recipe is close to the classic one. You can add glitter, dyes, beads to the slime.
Ingredients:
- Silicate glue – 200 g.
- Contact lens liquid – 20 ml.
- Baking soda – 0.5 tsp.
Add glue and dye (optional) to a bowl. Stir quickly to create small bubbles. Pour in contact lens solution, add baking soda and stir again. The slime can be used immediately.
With sodium tetraborate
Sodium tetraborate, also known as "borax," is a safe substance used in medicine to restore mucous membranes. It is sold in any pharmacy in the form of a glycerin solution. Sodium tetraborate is used to make slime most often.
Original slime recipe:
- PVA glue – 100 ml.
- Water at room temperature – 100 ml.
- Sodium tetraborate in glycerin - 1 bottle.
- Cellophane bag.
- Inventory.
You can add food coloring or glitter if you wish. Mix water and glue in a 1:1 ratio. Add tetraborate to the solution. Mix the resulting mixture well, pour it into a bag and knead it. After that, the slime can be used. The dye and other decor are added at the last stage.
With air freshener
Craftsmen have come up with a way to make slime without a thickener using an air freshener. It can be found in almost every home, and it gives the mass a pleasant aroma.
However, the aerosol contains many chemicals (for example, phthalates), which, when inhaled, can harm the body. It is better to wear a medical mask or respirator while preparing slime. The "slime" from the air freshener turns out slippery and slimy.
Ingredients:
- Stationery glue – 100 ml.
- Air freshener in a can.
- Baking soda – 0.5 tsp.
- Food coloring.
Pour glue into the container, mix in the dye and soda. Then add the air freshener to the mass in measured doses until it becomes thick. On average, 15-25 presses are enough. After every 5 presses, the mixture needs to be stirred.
If the slime does not stick to your hands, it is ready to use. It needs to be kneaded well with your hands so that it becomes homogeneous. The slime should be stored in a box or bag. It is suitable for use for 5-7 days.
Why doesn't the slime thicken?
The original branded slime combines two states: liquid and elastic. Slime made at home should be soft but viscous, like chewing gum. If it does not become thick or melts when touched by hands, then it was made incorrectly.
The most common reason is incorrect proportions of ingredients. For example, too much liquid. After 3-5 minutes of mixing the mass, it becomes clear whether the formula is followed. In this case, it is necessary to add more filler (glue, flour, starch, foam, plasticine) or activator (sodium tetraborate, lens fluid).
If the slime is made on the basis of PVA, the culprit may be expired glue. If its expiration date is about to expire or has already expired, it may not thicken or even delaminate.
You can rehabilitate hand gum by putting it in the refrigerator. If it doesn't thicken after an hour, the toy will have to be redone.
Slime can be made from improvised means, most of which are easy to find in the kitchen, bathroom or the nearest drugstore. "Lizun" without a thickener is no different from the original formula, if the proportions were observed correctly. How to make a fashionable toy correctly can be seen in the videos on "Youtube".
Video on how to make slime
Simple recipe for making slime: