Someone recently asked me about cornstarch slime. At first, I assumed they meant oobleck, but they clarified that they were talking about an actual slime made with cornstarch. Intrigued, we gathered our bin of oobleck and slime-making supplies and set out to experiment. After plenty of trial and error—along with rigorous testing by my kids—we came up with our top three cornstarch slime recipes!
Cornstarch is best known as the key ingredient in oobleck, a fascinating non-Newtonian fluid that changes its properties when mixed with water. But what happens when you combine it with something else—like glue? That question sparked our curiosity and sent us on a mission to experiment.
We tested all sorts of gloopy, gooey mixtures, and while some were complete disasters (yes, I may have glued my fingers together!), we discovered three recipes that actually worked. The first is incredibly simple, requiring just two ingredients, while the last one is unbelievably stretchy! No matter what kind of slime you’re looking for, we’ve got a cornstarch slime for you.
CORNSTARCH SLIME RECIPE 1 – THE EASY ONE
This first recipe is as simple as it gets—just mix cornstarch with glue! If you want to add color, mix a few drops of food coloring into the glue first for the best results.
How to Make It:
Start by adding cornstarch to the glue. We found that a 1:3 ratio works well, meaning for every ¼ cup of glue, you’ll need about ¾ cup of cornstarch. The measurements don’t have to be exact—our little helpers certainly weren’t precise!
The key to this recipe is patience. You’ll need to knead and work the mixture thoroughly until the stickiness fades and you’re left with a smooth, pliable slime. While this version isn’t the stretchiest or slimiest—it’s more like a stretchy playdough—it’s still a fun, hands-on activity for kids. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make!
CORNSTARCH SLIME RECIPE 2 – A STRETCHIER OPTION
For our next experiment, we wanted something with more stretch. Regular slime has that classic, gooey pull, and we wanted to get as close as possible while still using cornstarch.
The Secret Ingredient? Glycerin!
After several attempts, we discovered that adding just one tablespoon of glycerin made a huge difference in the texture and stretchiness of the slime.
How to Make It:
- Start with ¼ cup of glue and mix in a few drops of food coloring.
- Add 1 tablespoon of glycerin and stir well.
- Gradually mix in cornstarch, adding about ¼ cup at a time and stirring in between. You’ll need a total of ¾ cup of cornstarch to maintain the 1:3 glue-to-cornstarch ratio.
The glycerin transformed the consistency, making it much smoother and more elastic. While it still had a slight thickness to it, similar to soft dough, it behaved much more like traditional slime. This batch was a huge hit!
CORNSTARCH SLIME RECIPE 3 – THE SLIMIEST OF THEM ALL
When we first started making slime, we often heard from people struggling to get the texture just right. One of the most common issues? Using the wrong amount of contact lens solution, resulting in slime that was either too sticky or too stiff.
This got us thinking—was there a way to adjust the consistency without risking adding too much activator? That’s how we came up with our final, ultra-stretchy cornstarch slime!
How to Make It:
- Mix ¼ cup of glue with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of food coloring.
- Add 1 teaspoon of contact lens solution and stir until the mixture starts to pull together into a sticky mass.
- Instead of adding more contact lens solution to reduce stickiness, mix in ¼ cup of cornstarch and knead it well.
The result? A wonderfully stretchy, smooth slime without the risk of over-activating it. This one quickly became a favorite in our house!
CONCLUSION
Whether you’re looking for an easy, two-ingredient slime, a stretchier version, or the ultimate gooey creation, there’s a cornstarch slime recipe here for everyone. Happy experimenting!
