What’s with all the slime???

Every time I think the slime craze has passed, my kids come home with a new batch or start pulling out the glue and shaving cream to make their own.  Kids are making it, buying it and selling it to their friends or even on Etsy.  They are making it in different textures, colors and with extras added in.  I cannot help but wonder why this trend took off and seems to be staying around for a while.  Here is what I think:

1. Most importantly, it is a pleasing, tactile experience.  Kids today spend more time interfacing with technology than I did as a child.  They use electronics for fun, communication, school work etc.  Slime gives them a different type of experience.  They are working with their hands in a different way than usual and there is something therapeutic about squishing that slime through your fingers.
2. The ingredients are generally inexpensive and easy to get your hands on.  Many people already have what they need at home.  Ingredients usually include things like Borax soap, white glue, shaving cream and contact solution.
3. It is fun to personalize.  You can use food coloring to make it different colors and you can add things in to make different textures, like glitter or small foam balls.  You can even add essential oils to make different scents.  In this regard it allows for some creativity, but does not require artistic talent, which makes it fun and accessible for lots of kids.  

It seems like the slime craze might be here to stay for a while.  While I admit to getting annoyed by finding slime in weird places around the house or having to vacuum up large quantities of small foam balls that seem to magically spread out all over the house, I am happy to let my kids get this hands-on experience.  The slime on their fingers certainly puts smiles on their faces.

If you would like to try it, here is my kids’ favorite (and most simple) slime recipe:

Mix together:

½ cup white glue

1 ½ cups shaving cream

2-3 tablespoons of contact solution

Some tips:

Elmer’s Glue-All seems to work best.

Mixing with your hands is most effective (and most fun for kids)

Add some food coloring to personalize your slime.

A safety note: Borax is a common ingredient in slime.  I have used it several times with no problem, but I have read that it can irritate skin.  If you find a slime recipe using Borax, use caution and I do not recommend using more than called for in the recipe.

For more recipes, check one of these books out of the library today.  Even more titles are available as e-books through Hoopla.

The Slime Book 
"The Slime Book is packed full of more than 30 gloopy, squishy, and stretchy recipes to make at home. Create a glow-in-the-dark slime, gross out your friends with snot slime, and take a bite out of tasty chocolatey slime. Simple step-by-steps and vibrant photographs show how to create every awesome slime. Each recipe is Borax-free and uses safe, readily available ingredients, so you can start pulling and poking right away."

How to Make Slime by Lori Shores
"Simple text and full-color photos instruct readers on how to make slime and explain the science behind the activity"

Ultimate Slime: totally Borax free! By Alyssa Jagan

- Christine, Hollowbrook Branch