Looking for a fun, hands-on activity the kids can actually help with? Homemade slime is a classic, and you don’t need borax to make it. This easy 3-ingredient recipe is colorful, squishy, and simple to customize with your favorite colors and add-ins.

A lot of parents skip traditional slime recipes because they call for powdered borax, which can irritate skin and eyes if it’s handled incorrectly. The good news: you can make great slime without it. Here’s how, in five easy steps.

What you’ll need

- ½ cup PVA glue (Elmer’s School Glue works great)

- ½ tsp baking soda

- 1 to 2 tbsp saline contact lens solution (or liquid starch)

- Optional: a few drops of food coloring

How to make it, step by step

1. Pour ½ cup of glue into a mixing bowl.

2. Add a few drops of food coloring if you’re using it. It’s much easier to mix in now, before the slime forms.

3. Stir in ½ teaspoon of baking soda until fully combined. This helps the slime activate.

4. Add the saline solution one teaspoon at a time, stirring after each addition. The mixture will start to pull away from the sides of the bowl and clump together. Keep going until it thickens.

5. Knead it with your hands. It’ll feel sticky at first, but after 2 to 3 minutes of kneading it smooths right out.

Tips

- Still sticky? Add a few more drops of saline, a little at a time. Don’t overdo it, or the slime turns stiff and rubbery. (Our full how to fix slime guide covers every fix.)

- No saline on hand? Liquid starch works as a full substitute, added the same way.

- Store it sealed in an airtight container or a zip-top bag so it lasts.

A quick note on borax-free

This recipe skips powdered borax, which is what most people mean by no borax. Saline solution does contain a small amount of a borate compound, which is the part that activates the slime, and it’s safe to handle when used correctly. For the full picture on slime and safety, see our Is Slime Safe? Post.

Want to skip the mixing?

Homemade slime is a blast, but it doesn’t always come out perfect the first try. If you’d rather get straight to the squishing, we make handmade slimes in loads of colors, textures, and scents, and you can grab glue, activator, and mix-ins to make your own anytime. More ideas live on our Slime Recipes blog.