With the new popularity of slime making, my kids are always making slime now! However, it can be overwhelming to start if you are newbie to making slime. To help you out, we have a developed a list of the Best Slime Supplies to make the Best Slime!
Why do kids enjoying creating slime and the benefits?
It took me a while to get on board with this slime craze that my kids have started in my home. They have loved experimenting with different formulas to create the perfect recipe for slime.
Originally, I didn’t like it as it can be kind of messy.
However, after discussing with other moms, I decided that this is actually a fun science experiment. It also develops problem solving skills as my kids try different options to create the perfect slime.
In addition, playing with slime is a great sensory activity for kids. Sensory play is beneficial for improving motor skills in children.
Also slime has been beneficial in my home to help regulate emotions. Playing with slime is a great calming activity. Often as an adult, I find myself playing with silly putty when I’m stressed and overwhelmed. Slime has this same affect on my children.
Ok, now that we all can agree that this activity is beneficial for children, let’s continue with what you’ll need to start this fun activity in your home!
What supplies do you need for basic slime?
The first thing you need to make glue slime is glue (of course)! Generally, we buy glue by the gallon because it’s more affordable and my kids love making slime so I know they’ll use it all. They also sell clear glue by the gallon now as well which is what we use to make clear slime and crunchy slime.
If you have white glue, you can use food coloring to dye it prior to turning it into slime. This is the food coloring that we use and it works great. The colors are vibrant and bold which is just what you need for slime and it helps make a dark slime as well!
You can also use the color glue that is available. We love using type of glue to make our favorite 2 ingredient slime! It’s great for younger kids so you don’t have to worry about them using food coloring and accidentally getting it on their clothes or getting it on something else.
Check out all these great options for colored glue that is available to make slime!
- Glitter Glue
- Glow in the Dark Glue
- Classic Color Glue
- Metallic Glue
- Translucent Colored Glue
- Color Changing Glue
Now that you have the glue, you need an activator that turns the glue into slime. There are 3 different types of activators that you can choose from.
- Borax
- Contact Lens Solution (it must contain boric acid) and Baking Soda
- Liquid Starch
We have used all of these activators before and all of them work great at turning the glue into slime. We have learned that after kids experiment with them they start to develop a preference that works best for them so let them experiment with them all and decide which they prefer.
Can I use dollar store glue to make slime?
Generally, I have the best luck with Elmer s glue in our slime recipes. However, you don’t have to break the bank to stock up on this glue. My dollar store has been carrying name brand glue for awhile now and this is a great way to still enjoy slime while also saving money.
If your dollar store is not carrying Elmer’s glue, just look for a washable PVA school glue. These will work great in all of our slime recipes.
What add-ins do you recommend for slime?
Now that you have all the basic ingredients you need to create slime, we can discuss slime add-ins ideas. Slime add-ins are additional items that can be purchased to mix into the slime to give it a unique look or texture.
The first add-in I would recommend for your slime supplies is shaving cream foam. You’ll want to get the foam kind not the traditional shaving cream, This add-in is needed to create fluffy slime and snow slime. I love the texture that it adds to slime recipes. It makes the slime light, fluffy and less sticky.
We like keeping foam beads in our slime supplies which is perfect for making floam slime and birthday cake slime. Also, my kids love mixing in these fishbowl beads and they are perfect for making crunchy slime.
Glitter is also a great slime add-in to jazz up any slime and to make glitter slime extra sparkly! My kids made unicorn slime as well and we mixed in a lot of glitter to the glue so that it would sparkle perfectly! We also used glitter in this Valentine’s day Slime and in this fluffy slime. The glitter stays well in the slime, so it’s a great add-in to keep with your slime supplies.
Similar to glitter, confetti is also fun to have on hand to mix into your favorite slime recipes. The kids can easily pick out their favorites to make their slime unique!
Once your kids have mastered making slime, I also recommend getting model magic clay to make butter slime and instant snow to make cloud slime. My kids LOVED making both of these slimes as well.
Ok, now you’re fully stocked with your basic slime ingredients and have reviewed our slime add ins list, now let’s discuss edible slime and what is needed to create it.
What is needed to make edible slime?
There are all kinds of slime recipes. You can also make edible slime instead of the traditional homemade slime recipes. There are a lot of different recipes to make edible slime and they are safe to eat as they are chemical free but they don’t taste very good in my opinion.
The point of edible slime is that they are safe if your kids accidentally eat them but they are not intended to be a snack for your children. These slime recipes are best for younger kids that might confuse slime with food.
Most of the supplies needed to make edible slime can already be found in your pantry. Here are some items to have on hand if you want to create edible slime.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Cornstarch
- Sugar
- Powdered Sugar
- Vegetable Oils
- Food Coloring
- Marshmallows
- Gummy Bears
These ingredients will be perfect to make a traditional edible slime, marshmallow slime and gummy bear slime. That’s all you need and I bet you already have the basics in your pantry.
Where can you get slime supplies?
I buy all my slime supplies on amazon for the simple convenience of it. Being able to order is online and have it shipped to my door is very beneficial in my house!
However, if you need these supplies right away, the best place to get slime supplies is your local superstore, discount store, craft store or dollar store. I’m sure either of these will have these supplies on hand for you to make this birthday cake slime. I know mine local ones do!
Usually I check at my dollar store first as this is a great place to stock up on cheap slime supplies.
Ok, now that you are prepared with all the supplies needed to make slime, let’s talk about our favorite slime recipes!
How do you make the best slime?
Now that you are fully stock with everything that you need to make slime. We have some great slime recipes for your to try today with your kids.
Check out these easy and fun slime recipes! There are all types of slime that your kids can experiment with and enjoy!
- How to Make Slime for Kids that is Calming
- Glitter Slime – How to Make it in Minutes!
- How to Make Fluffy Slime
- DIY Chalkboard Slime
- The Best 2 Ingredient Slime
- Color Changing Slime
- Valentine’s Day Homemade Slime
Does lotion make slime less sticky?
The last slime supply that we haven’t discussed yet that you must keep in stock is hand lotion! Hand lotion works wonders with slime. Lotion keeps your hands soft and smooth and it has the same affect on slime as well. If your slime is too sticky, mix in approximately 1 teaspoon of hand lotion to the slime and it will make it less sticky and more smooth.
Also, if you have accidentally added to much activator to your slime and it’s too stiff, lotion will soften and de-activate the slime so that it can still be enjoyed and will try into a stretchy slime.
Slime Supplies are perfect for gifts!
If you know any slime obsessed children, slime supplies make the perfect gift for them. Creating slime is the fun part so I recommend giving them the supplies to create their own versus give them pre-made slime.
You can find cute bins at the dollar store and pack them full of a variety of the slime supplies that we have listed today and they’ll be excited and love this gift.
Which Supplies will you start with first?
This is a great slime supplies list that you’ll want to get to start experimenting with slime in your household. Which ones will you start with first? Let us know in the comments and we can’t wait to hear how your kids enjoying making slime with this supply list!
If your kids are crazy over slime, learn how to make slime with contact solution with only 3 ingredients.
Learn How to get Slime out of Clothes and it is so easy.
Try making birthday cake slime for another fun slime with multi-colored styrofoam beads.
Borax Slime is a very simple DIY and great for beginners just learning to make slime.