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Make Your Own Slime Putty

Macaroni Made

By Jennifer Chasse, New River Valley, VA Publisher June 22, 2013

Here’s a simple project that mixes science and creative play. With just 3 ingredients you can make your own silly putty/slime/gak. You’ll need:

  • White school glue (a regular 5 oz bottle will make a good sized amount)
  • Borax, available in the cleaning section of grocery stores
  • Water
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • A large bowl, whisk, and plastic bag to store it in

Begin by emptying the entire bottle of glue into a bowl. Fill the empty bottle with warm water, shake it up to rinse out all the glue, and add it to the bowl so you have equal parts glue and water. Use a whisk to mix it together well. If you are using food coloring, add it now and mix.

Slowly add about 3-4 tablespoons of Borax and watch as the molecules begin to adhere to the glue, creating a polymer. Use your hands to mix it up and add Borax as needed. More Borax will result in a thicker silly putty consistency, while less will result in a stringier, slimier texture. Roll it, shape it, bounce it and enjoy it, and then store the putty in plastic bag and wash hands well.