Sensory Play With Slime

October is here, the leaves are starting to turn and it’s beginning feel more like fall every day! Use this fun activity to learn a little bit of science with a whole lot of fun with your little scientist!

What is Slime?

The mixture of Elmer’s Glue with Borax and water produces a putty-like material called a polymer. In simplest terms, a polymer is a long chain of molecules. If the long molecules slide past each other easily, then the substance acts like a liquid because the molecules flow. If the molecules stick together at a few places along the strand, then the substance behaves like a rubbery solid called an elastomer (via Steve Spangler Science).

Materials

• Clear glue (Elmers and store brand both work well!)
• Liquid Starch
• Water
• Food coloring (red and yellow to make orange)
• Measuring Cup
• 2 bowls and a spoon
• plastic leaves (table scatter) & confetti – optional

Activity

1. In one bowl, mix 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup glue, combining completely.
2. Add in your food coloring and confetti.
3. In another bowl, measure our 1/2 cup of liquid start.
4. Slowly combine the glue/water mixture into the starch when a spoon. Be sure to get all the glue out of the bowl!
5. Switch to mixing with hands for a few minutes until you feel it come together.

Now’s the fun part! Play with your new fall slime. Stretch it out in front of a window and observe how you can see through it. Ball it up and drop it on a table to see what happens. Enjoy your new, fun sensory play toy created with the help of science!

To store, place in a clean, dry container (i.e., zipper-lock bag).