DIY Cornstarch Slime (no Borax!)

This post is sponsored on behalf of Terminix. All opinions are my own! 

I’ve kind of been obsessed with making slime (or slime-like substances) over the past few weeks. I have no idea why, but I’m also looking for activities that can keep my son occupied this summer. Over the past week I think I found a way to make slime and it does not include Borax! (I tried that too, and it did not go well.) The key ingredient? Cornstarch. 

For real. All you need is cornstarch, water and a little food coloring. 

The best thing is that it is safe for little hands. I don’t have to worry about my son playing with this and then rubbing his face or his mouth inadvertently. 

So the key to this? Two parts cornstarch, one part water. Adding water as you see fit. 

I used about a half cup of cornstarch and a quarter cup of water. I mixed the water and food coloring before adding it to the cornstarch. I would use a stirring stick or spoon to mix the ingredients, and when it got to be a little too stiff, I would just use my fingers. On a different batch, I let my son do the mixing – all with his hands. 

If the mixture hardens, you can add a little bit of water to loosen it back up. (You can also drain the water if it’s too thin.) 

Personally, I find this mixture to be fairly soothing to squeeze. Not everybody feels that way, though. 

Because I also tested the Borax version a few times, I have to say that the mixture of glue, water and Borax was intense.  As soon as the Borax touched the glue/water mixture, it stiffened up and you had no other choice but to use your hands to mix it.

Have you made slime? What did your child think of it? My son was excited at first, and then wasn’t quite sure WHAT to think!