If you find yourself scratching your head with the latest slime obsession, keep in mind that making slime is actually science! Slime is chemistry. Polymers and Non-newtonian fluids can be a little confusing for young kids, but our short lesson in basic slime science is a perfect way to introduce the science behind the slime to your kids. We LOVE homemade slime.
BEST BASIC SLIME SCIENCE FOR KIDS!
START WITHT HE BEST HOMEMADE SLIME RECIPES
First off, have you ever made a really good homemade slime with your kids? If you haven’t (or even if you have), make sure to check out our collection of the BEST HOMEMADE SLIME RECIPES. We actually have 4 basic slime recipes from which all our themes revolve around.
We also have a FREE Printable Recipe Cheat Sheet at the bottom of this page. All of our basic slime recipes (and even some themes) have a video showing the slime being made (like the one below).
The slime video you just watched uses our very popular saline solution slime recipe. We have more videos here.
Making slime has proven to be extremely fascinating for kids and adults of all ages, but you might not be familiar with the basic slime science. This is great to share with kids who love slime because there’s a great learning opportunity built into this incredibly hands-on activity.
LEARN THE BASIC SLIME SCIENCE
Slimy science starts with the right ingredients including the right kind of glue and the right slime activators. You can see all our recommended slime making supplies here. The right glue is a PVA (polyvinyl- acetate) washable school glue.
You have several slime activators to choose from (all in the boron family). These include saline solution, liquid starch, and borax powder and all contain similar chemicals for making a slime substance. Cross linking is what happens when the glue and activator are combined!
READ MORE ABOUT SLIME ACTIVATORS HERE
SLIME IS CHEMISTRY
Chemistry is all about states of matter including liquids, solids, and gasses. It is all about the way different materials are put together, and how they are made up including atoms and molecules. Additionally, chemistry is how these materials act under different conditions.
Slime is a Non-newtonian fluid. A Non-newtonian fluid is neither a liquid or a solid. It can be picked up like a solid, but it also will ooze like a liquid. slime does not have its own shape. Slime can also change it’s shape to fill whatever container it’s placed in. However, it can also be bounced like a ball because of it’s elasticity.
Pull the slime slowly and it flows more freely. If you pull it quickly, the slime will break off more easily because you are breaking apart the chemical bonds.
SLIME, POLYMERS, VISCOSITY, AND MORE!
Slime is all about polymers! A polymer is made up of very large chains of molecules. The glue used in slime is made up of long chains of polyvinyl acetate molecules (that’s why we recommend PVA glue). These chains slide past one another fairly easily which keeps the glue flowing. Chemical bonds are formed when you mix the glue and slime activator together.
Slime activators (borax, saline solution, or liquid starch) change the position of these molecules in a process called cross linking! This is the reaction between the PVA glue and the borate ions in your slime activator. Instead of flowing freely, the molecules become tangled and create the slimy substance. Think wet, freshly cooked spaghetti versus leftover cooked spaghetti! Cross linking changes the viscosity.
You can experiment with the viscosity or thickness of slime using our basic slime recipes. Can you change the viscosity of slime with the amount of slime activator you use? We show you how to set up your own slimy experiments in the link below.
SEE HOW TO SET UP SLIME EXPERIMENTS WITH KIDS HERE !
Below you can see how the slime spreads out like a liquid, can stretch, can bounce, and takes the shape of the container. Slime science is a very cool way to play and learn.
Mrs. Hernandez's Class says
For your information, Slime is created when PVA, in other words Polyvinyl acetate, comes in contact with sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. Slime is a very easy craft that me and my class love so much, that we make it every Monday! We recommend the following slimes: Floam slime, Fluffy slime, Iceburg slime, Crystal clear slime, and Bubble Rap slime.
Stephanie says
Can you give me some of your slime recipes?
littlebins says
Here’s our best collection of classic recipes.
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/how-to-make-slime-recipes-elmers-glue/
Lisa says
HI,
I’m concerned that borax is not good for you. Does the borax react with the PVA to make it less dangerous?
Thanks,
Lisa.
littlebins says
Have you checked out Steve Spangler? He has a great video or two on Facebook regarding the safety of borax powder for slime making.
kylah groovs says
there are two different types of borax. one is detergent, and one is to kill insects. the detergent is safe, but NOT the killer one
littlebins says
Actually boric acid which is in the same boron family as borax powder is what is used in insecticides as well as eye drops. Borax powder is laundry, some hand soaps and trace in fertilizer since it is mined through the ground. Through an intense processing borax powder can be turned into boric acid. They are however, not exactly the same.
Unknown says
Why when you add too much borax, the slime becomes stiff? Can u reply ASAP! thank you! 🙂
littlebins says
Borax slime isn’t my favorite. It is a bit more finicky to make and can get crumbly.
Yo says
tried different versions of your recipes, with the saline solution we had at home, and the result is too liquid every time… do all saline solutions contain sodium borate? the label on my saline solution does not mention it, therefore I wonder if that isn’t the reason why it doesn’t work. is there something else I can use instead? i was hoping to avoid borax
Thx
littlebins says
Yes, your saline needs the ingredients boric acid and sodium borate to work properly. Depending on your location, you can also try liquid starch.
How to make slime for kids says
slime is amazing you can do anything with it like: Put it in stress balls, or play with it with your hands. Also, it’s a great stress reliever I do recommend this. Thx for the recipes 😀
Everest Diamond says
I need some slime facts, I am doing a project on slime at school. I need some help. Thanks, Everest