Want to know exactly what you need to make slime at home? This guide compiles all the best slime ingredients and supplies in one convenient location. Discover the best glue to use, the most effective activator, and the extras that make your homemade slime recipe fun and unique. Whether you’re new to slime or troubleshooting a tricky batch, this post has you covered.
Slime Supply List for Beginners
If you’re ready to start making slime, stock up on these essential ingredients and tools. These simple items form the foundation of every slime recipe and are readily available at most grocery, craft, or big-box stores.
💡 Make sure to look through all of our homemade slime recipes here.
✅ Basic Slime Ingredients
- PVA washable school glue (white glue or clear glue)
- Slime activator (borax solution, liquid starch, or saline solution + baking soda)
- Optional mix-ins (glitter, food coloring, beads, clay, etc.)
- Warm water (for mixing borax powder)
🧰 Helpful Slime Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula
- Airtight container (for storage)
- Gloves (optional, for sensitive skin)
🧪 Basic Slime Recipes to Try
Once you have your tools and slime supplies ready, try these reliable homemade slime recipes using different activators:
- Borax Slime Recipe – Dissolve borax powder in warm water for stretchy, classic slime
- Saline Solution Slime Recipe – A great no-borax recipe using baking soda and saline
- Liquid Starch Slime Recipe – Easy one-step slime for beginners
- Fluffy Slime Recipe – Add shaving cream for a light, foamy texture
- Contact Lens Solution Slime Recipe – Just make sure it contains boric acid and sodium borate
These recipes will help you explore how each activator affects the texture and consistency of your slime.
What Kind of Glue Do You Need?
To make slime, you need a PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue. The most popular options are:
- Elmer’s White Glue– Makes a soft, stretchier slime.
- Elmer’s Clear Glue– Great for shiny slimes and glitter slimes.
- Elmer’s Specialty Glue – Already mixed with fun effects.
💡 Elmer’s glue is a trusted brand and available in many slime-ready variations.
Choosing a Slime Activator
Your glue won’t turn into slime without an activator, and each type creates a different slime texture. Borax powder and Liquid starch can be found in the laundry aisle of the grocery store, and saline solution can be found in the eye care section!
Slime Activator Comparison Chart
| Activator | Common Brands | Texture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borax Powder | 20 Mule Team | Stretchy, smooth | Dissolve 1 tsp in 1 cup warm water. Easy to over-activate. |
| Saline Solution | Equate, Up & Up | Soft, stretchy | Must contain boric acid and sodium borate. Use with baking soda. |
| Liquid Starch | Sta-Flo | Smooth, consistent | Simple to use and beginner-friendly. |
| Contact Lens Solution | Many brands | Similar to saline | Must contain slime-reactive chemicals. Double-check the label. |
| Elmer’s Magical Liquid | Elmer’s | Medium texture | Convenient but not always consistent. Use more than bottle suggests. |
Optional Add-Ins for Fun Slime Variations
Customize your batch of slime with exciting mix-ins to change the color, texture, or feel. Try:
- McCormick Food Coloring brand (grocery stores)
- Food Coloring (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Glitter and Confetti (so many varieties on Amazon)
- Foam Beads
- Fake Snow
- Iron Oxide Powder (Magnetic Slime)
- Sugar Beads (Fishbowl Slime)
- Glow in the Dark Pigment Powder (no blacklight needed)
- Soft Clay (Butter Slime)
These extras help you explore variations in slime texture and sensory experiences.
The Science of Slime
Making slime is a kid-friendly chemistry experiment. The magic happens when PVA glue mixes with an activator, such as borax or a saline solution. These activators contain boric acid or sodium borate, triggering a chemical reaction that crosslinks the glue molecules into a thick, gooey slime.
This reaction creates polymers—long chains of molecules that can stretch, squish, and hold their shape.
🔎 Learn more about Slime Science and Slime Science Projects here.
Slime Troubleshooting Tips
Even with the right ingredients, slime can sometimes go wrong. Here’s how to fix common issues:
- Too sticky? Add a few more drops of activator and stir well.
- Too stiff or rubbery? You may have over-activated. Knead in a drop of lotion or warm water.
- Not forming? Check that your activator contains boric acid or sodium borate. Also confirm you’re using school glue, not glue stick or wood glue.
- Too runny or stringy? Mix for a longer time or add a pinch of baking soda (if using saline).
- Slime dried out? Add a bit of water and knead to restore moisture.
💡Read on how to fix slime recipes here. Read on if you need to get slime out of hair or clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to make slime?
You need PVA glue, a slime activator, and optional add-ins like coloring and glitter. A bowl, spoon, and storage container also help.
What’s the best glue to use?
Elmer’s white glue and Elmer’s clear glue are reliable choices. Both work well with all major slime recipes.
Which activator is best?
Liquid starch is beginner-friendly. Saline solution creates soft, stretchy slime. Borax solution gives classic, stretchy slime but requires careful measuring.
Can you make slime without borax?
Yes! Use saline solution and baking soda as an easy borax alternative.
How long does slime last?
Slime typically lasts 1–2 weeks when stored in an airtight container.
Is slime safe for kids?
Yes—with adult supervision. Always wash hands after playing, and avoid contact with eyes or mouth. Consider gloves for kids with sensitive skin.
Can I use contact solution instead of saline?
Yes, if it contains boric acid and sodium borate. Not all contact solutions work, so check the label.
Pick an Easy Slime Recipe to Try Next
Ready to use your slime supplies? Try these favorites:
- Magnetic Slime
- Butter Slime with Clay
- Glow in the Dark Slime
- Color Changing Slime
- Crunchy Slime
- Fishbowl Slime
- Ombre Slime
- Fruit Scented Slime
- Glitter Slime
- Cloud Slime
- Galaxy Slime
- Thermochromic Slime
Grab the Ultimate Slime Recipe Bundle
All the best homemade slime recipes in one place with plenty of fantastic extras!
- The Ultimate Slime Guide contains all the specialty recipes you or your kids want to make! You’ll find all the best tips, tricks, hints, and slime-y info in almost 100 pages!
- The Ultimate Slime Holiday Guide covers all the best holidays and seasons with special themes and slime-y projects!
- The Ultimate Borax-FREE and Taste-Safe Slime Guide shows you how to make all the best borax-free, taste-safe, and non-toxic slimes kids love, such as marshmallow slime. These recipes do not use chemical activators such as saline solution, liquid starch, or borax powder, making them truly borax-free.
- The Ultimate Slime Coloring Book is an easy-to-print coloring book kids will love! Color and design your favorite slimes!
- The Slime Starter Guide is a fact-filled information guide with everything you need to know to make the best slime ever!
- Slime Science Project Pack helps you turn slime-making into a science lesson!
This is not OK! IT DIDNT WORK! I am so NOT HAPPY. I buyed all the ingredients and it didn’t work!it made my kitchen A mess! This all your or whoever’s FAULT!
You are welcome to email me and we can go over any of the recipes! I am happy to help as these recipes have worked for so many people. getmovingfitness@gmail.com
Hi there – can I please check is baking soda a substitute for borax? Many thanks! Lyn
Would you mind adding the recommended salt-to-water ratio for the saline solution? I don’t see that here. Obviously I could just make that up, but if you’ve had success with a particular ratio, I’d love to hear it.
Thanks for all you do! This site was exactly what I had in mind when I was thinking of experimenting with different slime recipes.
You can not use a salt water saline solution for making slime! You need a saline solution that contains sodium borate and boric acid which are the main slime activators! Thanks for thinking of us and feel free to email sarah@littlebinsforlittlehands with any specific questions as I can answer them faster!
In South Africa we dont get liquid startch. Does that mean I have to stick to one of the other recipes?
Probably if it’s not available to you unless you can order it and have it shipped to you.
I spent %990 on supplies and followed all direction to the T and no slime was made very upsetting for me and my kids!
I welcome emails to sarah@littlebinsforlittlehands.com plus you can also check out my live videos on Facebook and watch me make the slime using these ingredients. You might just need some trouble shooting with someone!
NO it is not a substitute.
This is an awesome resource. Thanks so much, we have used many other “recipes” but all of yours are top notch and foolproof. If someone is not getting good results it is because they are not using the correct ingredients or proportions of ingredients that you suggest. If they are using a PVA school glue (stick with Elmer’s), and a proper activator in the correct ratios these recipes are rock solid, definitely take the time to know what activators do. A few tips…make sure you are patient and let the chemical reaction take place, if your slime is really wet after 7 minutes of stirring or needing then you may need a little more activator but don’t make any decisions before 10 minutes. Activator is easy to add but near impossible to take away…If you are using saline and baking soda for an activator; be sure to use saline that is usually marked “for sensitive eyes”, it must contain sodium borate and boric acid. If you use starch as your activator Use liquid laundry starch not instant spray starch. If you use borax dilute in to a thick slurry first. With the activators it is easy to add more after you work it throughly and it is still too sticky…It is much harder to “soften”…if it is too hard or brittle no amount of water or lotion can save you. Have fun and enjoy this science experiment opportunity. Get your base recipes down and then start adding your colors, glitters, and “extras”. Once again, a great site! Thank you so much