HOMEMADE SLIME!

You can print these instructions out by choosing "PRINT" from your browser.

To make one golf ball size batch of slime you will need:

  • Elmer's glue (most kinds of white craft glue will work)
  • 2 disposable cups
  • Food coloring (you pick the color)
  • Water
  • Borax (available at most large grocery stores near the laundry detergent)
  • Small plate, dish or plastic wrap.
  • A plastic spoon (for stirring)
  • A tablespoon (for measuring)

What to do:

Beforehand: Mix about a teaspoon of the Borax into a cup of water and stir (it usually doesn't fully dissolve)

SLIME TIME!

  1. Fill the plastic cup with about 1/2 inch of glue
  2. Add 20 ml (three tablespoons) of water to the glue and stir
  3. Add a few drops of food coloring and stir again
  4. Add two tablespoons of the Borax solution and stir well.
  5. Lift out the spoon with the goo and place it on the dish
  6. Let it sit for about 30 seconds and then pull it off the stick and play with it!

Now for the SCIENCE part.... This POLYMER is unique because it has qualities of both a solid and a liquid. It can take the shape of its containers like a liquid does, yet you can hold it in your hand and pick it up like a solid. As you might know, solid molecules are tight together, liquid molecules spread out and break apart (drops) POLYMER molecules CHAIN themselves together (they can stretch and bend like chains) and that makes them special. Jell-O, rubber bands, plastic soda bottles, sneaker soles, even gum are all forms of polymers. The polymer you made should be kept in a sealed plastic bag when you aren't playing with it. Also, be sure to keep it away from young kids or pets who might think it's food. Have fun!

-Science Bob

The project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:

1. How can you make the polymer stretch the farthest?

2. What amounts of borax and glue mixture make the polymer stretch the most?

3. What method of storage will make the polymer last the longest?

4. What brand of glue makes the stretchiest polymer?

See if you can come up with more Polymer experiments!