Making and playing with slime isn’t only a fun way to spend an afternoon. It’s an excellent way to introduce the scientific method to kids as well as being a lesson in patience and trial and error. Show
However, many slime recipes require borax, which is a natural but potentially dangerous substance. Why should you avoid borax? We’ll give you the lowdown on that and offer our top five borax-free slime recipes. Learning how to make slime without borax is a crucial thing for parents to do. A slime recipe without borax will help your child have all the fun this activity can introduce without a lot of the dangers. How To Make Slime Without Borax There are some surprising benefits to making and playing with slime, but one ingredient, borax, can be dangerous. We’ve curated five tried and tested borax-free slime recipes that are both kid- and parent-approved.
What Is Slime?Slime is a non-Newtonian liquid. This means it acts as both a liquid and a solid, depending on the amount of force applied to it. That is why you can scoop slime up and hold it, but the slime will also flow like extremely thick water. The most common ingredients for slime are glue and water. These are mixed to make a “slime base.” Next, an ingredient known as an activator is mixed into the base to create the slime. The specific activator depends on the slime recipe you use. The ratio of base and activator can be adjusted to make your slime thicker, stickier, and more rubbery. Glitter, color, toys, scents, and other objects can also be added to your slime. Making and playing with slime is an excellent way to teach some of the basics of the scientific method. Pro Tip Encourage your kids to speculate what will happen when you heat the mixture or add a little more of an ingredient. Then discuss and record your results. If your kids are older, you can get into the details of polymers, shear thickening, and viscosity. Different colors of slime can be used to teach color recognition and demonstrate what happens when the colors mix. Meanwhile, adding toys, beads, and other items stimulate the senses, promoting sensory integration. Why Is Borax Bad?Borax is not inherently bad. It is in many everyday products, and many children make slime with borax and never experience a single problem. However, for sensitive children through overexposure or when used incorrectly, borax can cause: Skin, Eye, and Respiratory IrritationPouring borax into your mix can send molecules into the air, which are then inhaled. This can cause irritation in any child, but it can be particularly problematic for kids with asthma and other respiratory conditions. When playing with slime, children with sensitive skin may be prone to rashes and dry skin. There is some evidence, in extreme cases, of chemical burns. Digestive ProblemsIngesting borax, or a substance that contains borax, can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea, shock, and even kidney failure (1). A child does not have to eat a great deal to be sick. Does Borax Kill Humans?Homemade slime recipes usually use around one tablespoon of borax, which is approximately 14 grams. As little as 5 grams of borax can be fatal for a child if it is swallowed (2). Between 14 and 20 grams can kill an adult. Be careful about which borax-free recipe you use. Some supposedly borax-free slime recipes use liquid starch or liquid baby laundry detergent. However, liquid starch and some liquid laundry detergents contain borax or one of the many closely related minerals and chemical compounds. Do not use any items which list boric acid, sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate on the label. Shampoo and Cornstarch SlimeThis recipe includes ingredients you likely already have in your home. Ingredients
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Glue and Cornstarch SlimeThis version is less jelly-like than some other slimes, but it still acts in the same way. Ingredients
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Shaving Cream, Glue, and Baking Soda SlimeKids often enjoy this recipe because of the foamy shaving cream they get to use. Ingredients
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Pro Tip If the slime is still sticky after kneading, add more saline solution, one drop at a time, until stickiness has dissipated. Powdered Fiber SlimeAny powdered fiber brand that contains psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid will work. The slime thickens in response to heat, so each time you heat and cool the mixture, it will thicken further. Ingredients
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Baking Soda, Glue, and Contact Solution SlimeBefore making this recipe, you need to know that contact lens solution does contain trace amounts of boric acid. However, by using this instead of other ingredients that contain borax, you will reduce the amount of borax to which your child is exposed. Ingredients
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Tips for Making and Playing With Slime
Go With The FlowMaking slime can be a mucky, and sometimes frustrating, process. However, think of that as all part of the fun because once you get it right, making and playing with slime can give your child hours of pleasure. It is also a fabulous science fair project, and many budding entrepreneurs try their hand at making and selling slime. Who knows? Slime might inspire something great in your child. Feedback: Was This Article Helpful? Thank You For Your Feedback! Thank You For Your Feedback! How do you make fluffy slime without glue or activator and cornstarch?Steps:. Pour 2 Tbsp of shampoo of choice into a bowl (you can always add more shampoo later). ... . Add in 2 Tbsp of shaving cream (foam) to the shampoo and mix. ... . Add 1 tsp of salt, and mix everything together thoroughly. ... . Put mixture into the freezer for approximately 15 minutes. ... . Remove from the freezer and play!. How do you make slime without cornstarch or activator?Mix together 1 cup (236.58 mL) of school glue and 1 tbsp (14 g) of baking soda. Pour 1 cup (236.58 mL) of school glue into any kind of bowl. Add 1 tbsp (14 g) of baking soda and mix it in thoroughly using a metal spoon. This recipe creates slime that has a consistency similar to slime made using Borax.
How do you make fluffy slime without baking soda or cornstarch?Fluffy Slime Ingredients. 1 (4-ounce) bottle Elmer's white school glue.. 2 Tablespoons contact saline solution (or liquid laundry detergent). 1 – 2 cups shaving cream.. Food coloring, optional.. |