HOW TO MAKE CORNSTARCH SLIME – 5 EASY RECIPES

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!

FLUFFY SLIME RECIPE: EASY AND BORAX-FREE

Fluffy slime is a favorite among slime enthusiasts!

This recipe is borax-free, using baking soda and contact lens solution to activate the slime. The addition of shaving cream gives it that irresistibly fluffy texture.

This slime was the first in our collection of easy slime recipes for kids. We now have a variety of fun slime ideas, so be sure to explore and save your favorites for later!

Keep reading or watch the video below to see just how fun and simple it is to make this slime recipe!

Easy Fluffy Slime

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Please ensure adult supervision when making or playing with slime, and always follow the slime safety guidelines listed at the bottom of this page.

Fluffy Slime Ingredients

  • 1 cup glue
  • 3 cups shaving cream
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 2-3 tablespoons contact lens solution
  • Food dye or acrylic paint (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional; improves smoothness)
  • 2 tablespoons lotion (optional; increases stretchiness)

Fluffy Slime Basics

Before you make fluffy slime, there are a few important things to keep in mind. If it’s your first time creating fluffy slime, be sure to read all the tips and notes below before you get started.

WHAT IS FLUFFY SLIME?

You might be curious about what exactly fluffy slime is. Fluffy slime is just what it sounds like: a fluffy, stretchy slime that’s incredibly fun to play with. Its signature fluffiness comes from the addition of shaving cream.

FLUFFY SLIME NOTES

First, make sure you’re using shaving cream for this recipe, as shaving gel won’t provide the same level of fluffiness.

Second, since this recipe doesn’t use borax, your contact lens solution must contain boric acid. If it doesn’t, it won’t activate the slime, so be sure to check the ingredient list before purchasing any solution.

For this recipe, I used the Target brand Up & Up Clear Comfort Multi-Purpose Solution, which contains boric acid and is more affordable than name-brand options.

Elmer’s has also introduced a convenient product called Magical Liquid, which replaces both the baking soda and contact lens solution, allowing for fewer ingredients.

While I use non-name brands for the contact lens solution, I recommend sticking with Elmer’s glue. If you plan to make a lot of slime (trust me, your kids will love it), consider purchasing Elmer’s glue in a gallon size. We have both the standard and clear gallon jugs on hand.

How To Make Fluffy Slime

Add the glue to the bowl. For this recipe, we used regular Elmer’s glue.

Add the shaving cream, cornstarch, and color additive to the mixture. We used food dye to color the slime, but you can also use acrylic paint.

Note: The cornstarch is optional, but it will help give the slime a smoother texture. If you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry! However, if you do, I recommend giving it a try.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly, then add the baking soda and contact lens solution to the bowl.

Use a fork to mix the baking soda and contact lens solution into the slime batter.

After mixing, use your hands to start kneading the slime batter. You can dip your fingers in the contact lens solution to reduce stickiness.

Note: Fluffy slime can be quite messy at this stage. It may get all over your hands, and if you’re new to making slime, you might worry that you did something wrong. Don’t panic! Continue to knead, pull, and work the slime until it begins to stick to itself and come off your hands. For us, this took about 3 minutes of kneading.

You can stop here and start playing with the slime, or you can choose to add lotion to enhance its stretchiness. Keep in mind that adding lotion will also introduce moisture, making the slime sticky again. Don’t worry; just keep mixing, pulling, and playing with the slime, and it will return to its original texture.

That’s it!

I can’t express how much fun my kids have when we make slime! It’s a blast for both kids and adults to play with!

If you encounter any issues, be sure to check out the following section on troubleshooting fluffy slime problems.

Keep in mind that this slime will lose its fluffiness over time (it typically lasts about a day or two), so I recommend making it on the same day you plan to use it.

Fluffy Slime Troubleshooting

Q: What do I do if my slime is too sticky?

A: When you first begin kneading the fluffy slime, it will be quite sticky. This is completely normal, so don’t worry! As you mix, knead, and pull it apart, it will start to stick to itself and form the slime. If, after a couple of minutes, it’s still very sticky, add a bit more contact lens solution (one to two teaspoons at a time). Make sure to fully incorporate the newly added solution before adding more.

Q: Can you make fluffy slime with shaving gel?

A: Technically, yes, you can make fluffy slime with shaving gel. However, I believe shaving cream yields a much fluffier and less sticky slime, so I recommend sticking with shaving cream every time for the best results.

Q: I added the contact lens solution to the mixture, but it never made slime. What’s wrong?

A: First, ensure that your contact lens solution contains boric acid, as this is essential for making slime. If it doesn’t contain boric acid, it won’t work. If your solution does contain boric acid but the slime isn’t forming properly, you may need to add more to the mixture. Add it a little at a time (2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon), mix thoroughly, and then reassess the consistency.

Q: Why is my fluffy slime stiff and breaking?

A: You likely added too much activator (either baking soda, contact lens solution, or both). Sometimes, adding a bit of lotion can help make the slime stretchier, but if you really overdid the activator, you might need to start over.

Slime Safety

Please ensure that an adult supervises children while they play with slime. It’s important to communicate to your child that this type of slime is not edible. If any part of the slime is ingested, seek medical advice immediately.

Parents or another responsible adult should always make the slime. This type of slime is not suitable for children aged 3 and younger.

If your child has sensitive skin, consider using gloves while playing with the slime or monitor them to ensure the slime doesn’t cause any irritation.

Always remind your child to wash their hands after playing with slime.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, making fluffy slime is a fun and engaging activity for kids (and adults!) that encourages creativity and sensory play. By following this simple recipe and keeping safety guidelines in mind, you can create a delightful and fluffy slime that will provide hours of entertainment. Remember to supervise children during play, ensure they understand the slime is not edible, and encourage good hygiene practices afterward. Enjoy the process and the fun of squishy, stretchy slime!