So chances are really good if you have a kid (or grandkid…or kid in your life…) between the ages of 4 and 18, your life has been affected in some way by the slime craze. Slime is an epidemic sweeping the nation, causing parents to acquire obscene quantities of Elmer’s glue and congregate, mumbling incoherently, in the laundry detergent aisle as they hunt down that last box of borax at Target at 10:00 pm. If your children have yet to be affected, just wait. It’s coming. And if you’re reading this post, fluffy slime is coming your way ASAP.
making slime
The good news is that it’s easy and it’s fun. If you’ve never made our “classic” slime, check out the post here and. This particular slime is incredibly satisfying to make and to play with–this makes a big batch, but you’re going to need it all, I promise.
You’re going to need some glue (good luck finding any–just buy it online for the sake of your sanity), shaving cream (I like the sensitive skin variety because it doesn’t smell like an adolescent boy who’s discovered Axe body spray after gym class), saline solution (make sure it has boric acid in the ingredients–most in the United States do), water, and borax.
To make the borax solution, dissolve 3/4 teaspoon of borax powder in 1/4 cup of hot water (you’ll need to stir it pretty vigorously to get it to dissolve.)
Add 2 tablespoons of saline solution and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the glue and 1 cup water. If you’d like to add any food coloring, this is the best time.
It’s also a great time to add in any mix-ins like extra-fine glitter, mica powder or foam balls for “crunchy” slime, 
but you may want to wait and let kids add in whatever they want after the slime is mixed; it’s just harder to incorporate.
(A good rule of thumb–use more of everything than you’ll think you’ll need. More food coloring. More glitter. More more more. Slime is an ostentatious activity.) Mix until the glue/water mixture is completely smooth and and colors/mix-ins are evenly distributed.
Measure out 8 cups of shaving cream (gently pat it down to make sure you don’t have any large air pockets).
Add the shaving cream to the glue mixture and gently stir until combined.
Add the borax/saline solution mixture and mix until combined. The boric acid/borax is what gives the slime its cohesive consistency, so you want to make sure everything is mixed evenly. When you first add it, the mixture will seize up, but as it becomes more and more incorporated into the mixture, the slime will take on an amazing, soft, fluffy, marshmallow-y consistency.
Check it out in in this video from my Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS6xTeOgemP/?taken-by=kate_ourbestbites
adding mix-ins
If you’d like a little more firmness, you can add up to an additional tablespoon of saline solution, but start small and add a little as you go. If you want to add in your mix-ins now, go for it–for this little batch, we’re doing small styrofoam balls to create what the slime-iverse refers to as “crunchy slime.”
If you don’t mix anything in, your slime is done!
Go play with it!
Over time, the fluff will deflate. Store in an airtight container. Fluffy slime that is left alone in an airtight container will take on a really great, smooth, flat slime consistency after about a week.
I like to store our slime in these 16-ounce deli containers (which are perfect for other things like cookie dough, homemade ice cream, frosting, and other tasty treats, especially when you’re giving them away.)
SUPPLIES USED:
White School Glue (Elmer’s is best)
Saline solution (just get store brand saline solution)
Extra Fine Glitter (I got the packets I used in the picture above at the craft section of Walmart or you can get a large selection of it by following the link)
Borax (or you can find it in the laundry aisle of the grocery store)
Mica powder (makes the slime shimmery instead of glittery)
Tiny Styrofoam Balls (for crunchy slime. Just be forewarned, once the bag is opened, Satan has been unleashed and between their apparent weightlessness and their penchant for static electricity, trying to clean them up will hurt your heart. Just get a vacuum and a prescription for anti-anxiety medication.)
Deli Containers
Fluffy Slime
Description
The best, easiest, fluffiest slime in all the land! You’ll love it!
Ingredients
- 2 cups white school glue (we’ve had the best luck with Elmer’s)
- 1 cup water
- 8 cups shaving cream (pat it down as you’re filling the measuring cup to make sure you don’t have any air pockets)
- 2–3 tablespoons saline solution (make sure it has boric acid in the ingredients)
- BORAX SOLUTION
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 3/4 teaspoon borax powder
- EXTRAS: Food coloring, micro glitter, mini styrofoam balls, etc.
Instructions
- To make the borax solution, dissolve 3/4 teaspoon of borax powder in 1/4 cup of hot water (you’ll need to stir it pretty vigorously to get it to dissolve.) Add 2 tablespoons of saline solution and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the glue and 1 cup water. If you’d like to add any food coloring, this is the best time (as well as any mix-ins, but you may want to wait and let kids add in whatever they want after the slime is mixed; it’s just harder to incorporate.) Mix until the glue/water mixture is completely smooth and and colors/mix-ins are evenly distributed.
- Add the shaving cream to the glue mixture and gently stir until combined. Add the borax/saline solution mixture and mix until combined. The boric acid/borax is what gives the slime its cohesive consistency, so you want to make sure everything is mixed evenly. When you first add it, the mixture will seize up, but as it becomes more and more incorporated into the mixture, the slime will take on an amazing, soft, fluffy, marshmallow-y consistency. If you’d like a little more firmness, you can add up to an additional tablespoon of saline solution, but start small and add a little as you go.
- Over time, the fluff will deflate. Store in an airtight container. Fluffy slime that is left alone in an airtight container will take on a really great, smooth, flat slime consistency after about a week.
Questions & Reviews
This is the best slime recipe I’ve ever used! The kids loved it! Really great texture not at all sticky.
Hi! How much glue is needed for this recipe?
2 cups glue
So…do you add the borax solution AND the contact solution? Thanks
Yes–you add in the saline solution with the borax.
How many glue bottles does it take
I’m not sure–I get the big bottle. 🙂
So if u keep it on a container it won’t die down??
It will eventually, unfortunately, but it still has a cool texture.
This is an awesome recipe. Super easy and I think it makes a ton! My daughter is in heaven. Thanks so much for another foolproof recipe for fun!
I plan to make a lot my sisters LOVE slime
The best slime recipes out there….my kids loved it!! Don’t take short cuts. It’s really not messy at all
Yay!!! So glad to hear you loved it!
So I’m a little behind but want to do this for about 16 kids. Has anyone figured out the recipe for one portion size?
Shaley, this makes a HUGE batch, depending on how much you want to give each kid 1 batch would do (for a small amount) or double would be a generous serving for each.
This sound like fun maybe we will try this
My summer vacation kids and I made this this morning and it was so messy and fun! Thank you so much for posting this recipe–we had the best time doing this together and only 1 of them looks like an ice cream cone melted on his head (slime does adhere to hair, turns out!).
On a side note: Laura if it’s not too late, DO NOT attempt to do this for 120 4th graders!!! This is a super fun activity for one’s own little family but it is so not worth the work, mess and STRESS for that huge number! Just give everyone a small bowl (use the deli containers!) of water, a squirt of dish soap, and a straw and let them blow bubbles. Save yourself!!!
Kate- can you let me know what brand and oz size on the can of shaving cream you used? Needing for figure how much we will need for 120 kids (see above). On a related note, my head is about to explode.
I just made this and divided it by 4, using one bottle glue, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 tsp borax, 1Tbs water, 1/2 Tbs saline, and 2 cups shaveing cream. It was a little sticky so I added more saline and it was perfect!
How large of a volume did your version make? I am in the process of planning a 4th grade end-of-school picnic for 120 kiddos and they will be making small containers for themselves…containers hold 6oz volume. So trying to figure out how much to order of the ingredients. If the original recipe makes 5 16 oz containers does yours make 1 16 oz container?
does the glitter transfer to surfaces?
Nope!
Do you have to do your exact measurement?
No…especially on the saline solution–if it’s a little too sticky, just add more of that. And you can always cut the recipe in half. But I wouldn’t mess with it too much beyond that. 🙂
Oh the slime craze! I have 3 boys who are ALL about slime! The more, the better…the gooey-er, the better! I can’t wait to try this fluffier version to see what that’s like! Thank you for the add-on ideas! My middle son will absolutely love the glitter addition!
My grandchildren are in college so I had no clue why our Kroger had 1/2 gallon and gallon size Elmer’s glue prominently displayed. I thought how odd at the end of the school year that anyone would need so much glue. Thanks for cluing me in–I so hate to be out of loop.
Hahahaha, right???
This looks fun! How may cans of shaving cream does it take to make 8 cups? Will one can be sufficient?
*many. Wish I could edit that!
It’s about half a can, so you should be fine! 🙂
Loving this idea!! Loving even more the description of the tiny styrofoam balls!! Clean-up is definitely in the realm of Lucifer! Hilarious! You made me laugh today…and gave me a great idea to use with my kids. Thank you!!
Can it be used for modeling? Does it ever dry out and harden?
No, it won’t really hold up for very long if you model it. And it won’t really dry out, but it will get kind of flat and sticky if you leave it out.
Can you use a mixer (like a kitchen-aid) to mix it up?
Definitely part of the fun is mixing it with your hands. Also, you might mix out too much of the air with a mixer, so I’d just keep it simple and do it by hand 🙂
How much does this recipe make?
A big bowl…but not an overwhelming amount, especially if multiple kids are involved.
So do you know how many of those 16 oz. containers it fills?
It’s hard to say because some of it was immediately nabbed for personal use, but I’d say 5-6 🙂
I made 6 batches of Fluffy Slime on Thursday the kids absolutely loved it.
My granddaughters are coming over tomorrow. This will be a great project for us. Thank you
Mine turned out awesome imma 5 star this and share