Slime Recipes and Variations: Different Types of Slime

Slime is a popular science experiment and sensory activity, and it’s easy to see why—it’s stretchy, squishy, and endlessly fun to play with! But did you know that there’s a whole world of different types of slime, each with its own unique texture, feel, and even special effects?

We’ve got a collection of slime recipes to try. Each type of slime offers a chance to not only enjoy some messy, hands-on fun but also to explore a little bit of science.

Ready to stretch your imagination (and your slime)? Let’s explore!

Basic Slime Recipe

Basic slime ingredients usually includes white glue and borax (or contact lens solution with boric acid) mixed with a bit of water. The glue contains polymers and the borax acts as a slime activator to create the stretchy texture.

We usually empty a bottle of glue into a bowl and fill the same bottle with water to mix with the glue, then add in the borax.

You can add color or glitter to dress up the basic homemade slime recipe. We’re going to take it a step further with some different types of slime.

Clear Slime

Description: Clear slime is a see-through version of basic slime recipes, which is great for adding glitter, beads, or other decorations that you can see inside the slime. It has the same stretchy and gooey texture but is transparent.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup clear glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of clear glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. In a separate cup, dissolve 1 tablespoon of borax in 1 cup of warm water.
  3. Slowly add the borax solution to the glue mixture, stirring constantly until the slime forms.
  4. Knead the slime until it becomes stretchy and less sticky.
• What Makes It Different: Clear glue allows the slime to be transparent, which gives it a glass-like appearance.
• Chemistry: The chemistry is the same as regular slime—borate ions cross-link the polyvinyl acetate chains in the glue, but the use of clear glue allows light to pass through, making the slime transparent.

Butter Slime

Description: Butter slime has a soft, spreadable texture, similar to butter or dough. Adding soft modeling clay to a regular borax slime recipe gives it a thicker, smoother consistency that’s fun to mold and squish.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ to ½ cup of modeling clay (soft air-dry clay works best)
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of white glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until the slime forms.
  3. Knead the slime until smooth, then gradually add the modeling clay.
  4. Knead the clay into the slime until it becomes soft and spreadable.
• What Makes It Different: The addition of soft clay transforms the slime into a smooth, dough-like texture that can be stretched and molded, but without the sticky feel of regular slime.
• Chemistry: The clay acts as a thickening agent that integrates with the cross-linked polymer network, resulting in a denser, more malleable texture.

Glow-in-the-Dark Slime

Description: This slime glows when the lights go out! By adding glow powder or glow paint, you can charge it under light and enjoy its eerie glow in the dark.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue or clear glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons of glow-in-the-dark powder (or glow paint)
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Stir in the glow-in-the-dark powder or paint.
  3. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until slime forms.
  4. Knead the slime until smooth.
  5. Expose the slime to light to charge it, then turn off the lights to watch it glow!
• What Makes It Different: The glow-in-the-dark powder contains phosphorescent materials that store energy from light and release it as a glow in the dark.
• Chemistry: While the cross-linking chemistry remains the same, the phosphorescent powder absorbs light energy and slowly releases it, creating the glow effect.

Magnetic Slime

Description: Magnetic slime contains iron filings, making it able to move and stretch when placed near a magnet. We’re adding some iron filings to a simple slime recipe It’s fun to watch the slime interact with magnets!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons iron filings (or magnetic powder)
  • Strong magnet
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Add iron filings or magnetic powder and mix well.
  3. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until the slime forms.
  4. Knead the slime until it becomes smooth.
  5. Use a strong magnet to move and shape the slime.
• What Makes It Different: The slime becomes magnetic due to the iron filings, which can be attracted to a magnet, creating a unique interaction.
• Chemistry: The borate ions cross-link the glue polymers as usual, but the addition of iron filings makes the slime responsive to magnetic fields, though the filings don’t chemically interact with the glue.

Thermochromic (Color-Changing) Slime

Description: Thermochromic slime changes color based on temperature! By adding thermochromic pigments, the slime can shift colors when warmed by your hands or placed in a warm environment.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue or clear glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons of thermochromic powder (available online)
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Stir in the thermochromic powder.
  3. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until slime forms.
  4. Knead the slime until smooth and the powder is well incorporated.
  5. Warm the slime with your hands or place it in warm water to watch the color change.
• What Makes It Different: This slime changes color based on temperature due to the thermochromic pigments. It’s a fun way to explore the effects of heat on materials.
• Chemistry: The thermochromic pigments contain compounds that change their molecular structure in response to heat, altering the way they reflect light. The slime’s polymer structure remains the same, but the pigments give it its color-changing properties.

Cloud Slime

Description: Cloud slime feels soft and fluffy, almost like snow! Adding instant snow powder gives it a unique texture that stretches and pulls like soft clouds.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • 2-3 tablespoons of instant snow powder
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until the slime forms.
  3. Prepare the instant snow powder according to package instructions.
  4. Gradually mix the snow powder into the slime until you achieve the desired fluffy texture.
• What Makes It Different: The instant snow expands when mixed with water, making the slime feel like fluffy, stretchy clouds.
• Chemistry: The snow powder is made of superabsorbent polymers that absorb water, increasing in size and creating a lightweight, cloud-like texture in the slime.

Crunchy Slime

Description: Crunchy slime gets its texture from added beads, foam pieces, or small plastic bits that make a satisfying crunch when you squeeze and stretch it.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup foam beads or plastic beads
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until slime forms.
  3. Add the foam or plastic beads and knead them into the slime until evenly distributed.
• What Makes It Different: The beads add a crunchy texture, making the slime fun to squish, with a satisfying sound.
• Chemistry: The slime’s chemical structure is unchanged, but the physical addition of beads interrupts the smooth surface, creating a crunchy feel when handled.

Slushie Slime

Description: Slushie slime is made with small plastic beads or foam beads that give the slime a texture like slushie ice. It’s squishy, stretchy, and fun to play with.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup plastic slushie beads or small foam beads
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until slime forms.
  3. Add the slushie beads and knead until evenly mixed.
• What Makes It Different: The beads create a slushie-like texture that feels like tiny pieces of ice within the slime, making it fun to squish and stretch.
• Chemistry: The beads don’t chemically interact with the slime but provide a unique texture, giving it the feel of crushed ice.

Edible Slime

Description: This slime is made from food-safe ingredients, so it’s non-toxic and safe if accidentally ingested. It has a fun, squishy texture, although it’s not as stretchy as traditional slime.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • ½ cup condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Optional: Food coloring for fun colors
• Steps to Create:
  1. In a saucepan, mix the condensed milk, cornstarch, and sugar.
  2. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens to a slime-like consistency.
  3. Remove from heat and let it cool. If desired, add food coloring for a colorful edible slime.
  4. Once cool, knead the slime until it reaches the desired consistency.
• What Makes It Different: This slime is safe to eat (in small amounts), making it great for younger kids or anyone who wants a safe, food-based alternative to traditional slime.
• Chemistry: There’s no cross-linking involved here like in regular slime. Instead, the cornstarch acts as a thickening agent when heated with the sugar and condensed milk, creating a gooey, stretchy mixture. The sugar helps stabilize the slime’s texture.

Foam Slime

Description: Foam slime is similar to fluffy slime, but it has even more volume and a firmer texture thanks to the addition of foam beads. It’s great for sensory play because of the crunchy texture.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 tablespoon borax dissolved in 1 cup of warm water (or 1 tablespoon of saline solution with borate)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup foam beads (available at craft stores)
• Steps to Create:
  1. Mix 1 cup of glue with ½ cup of water in a bowl.
  2. Slowly add the borax solution, stirring until slime forms.
  3. Add foam beads and knead them into the slime until they are well distributed.
• What Makes It Different: Foam slime has a light, airy texture with lots of crunch from the foam beads. The foam beads add both volume and a new sensory experience.
• Chemistry: The chemistry is the same as regular slime, with borate ions cross-linking the glue polymers, but the foam beads act as physical add-ins that change the texture, making the slime less dense and more voluminous.

Halloween Slime

We have a whole post of Halloween Slime Recipes – check them out for some spooky fun!

Wrap Up – Variations of Slime Recipes

Whether you’re making slime that stretches for miles or one that crunches under your fingers, there’s always something new to discover. Beyond the fun and sensory satisfaction, slime can teach us about scientific concepts like polymers, chemical reactions, and material behavior.

Gather your ingredients, get mixing, and enjoy some fun and science! The next time you make slime, think about the science behind the squish—and stretch your imagination and your slime!