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No glue? No activator? No, problem! There are so many slime recipes available today for kids to try. However, most require lots of glue and activator, such as contact solution or borax. However, today I’m excited to share with you how to make slime without glue or activator.
Sometimes the best creations happen by accident. My daughter, and her friend, wanted to make slime, but we didn’t have any glue at home. They started mixing some of the other sensory ingredients together and were very excited with what they found. Being able to create slime, that actually works, without any glue or activator has led to hours of fun!
My kids love making Oobleck, from corn starch and water, but also love making slime that can bounce and squish between their fingers. This no glue, no activator slime recipe can do all of this. I’ve made countless batches to replicate their slime and share the steps, and recipe with you below, for free!
With all of the batches I made while getting the recipe just right, I took all of the slime into my kindergarten classroom for my students to get their hands on and explore. They loved it and it quickly became our favorite slime!
If you like the idea of making slime with a large group of kids, check out Play Learn Inspires activity for a full class activity with slime! Slime Project for Kids
How to Make Slime Without Glue
There are only three ingredients for this slime and they’re common ingredients from around the house. For this slime without glue or activator, you will need:
- Cornstarch
- Shaving Cream
- Water
You can also choose to add some extra ingredients after making the slime to make it even more fun to play with, such as:
- Food Coloring
- Paint
- Sparkles
- Foam Balls
I have also included a free printable recipe to help create your slime at home. The printable can be downloaded at the bottom of this post and is included in color and black and white.
Although I tested and recreated the slime countless time before sharing it here, if you have ever worked with slime before, you know that even if you follow a recipe it tends to not turn out exactly the same each time. However, if you follow the steps, you will end up with a great slime that kids will love.
How to Make Slime Without Activator or Glue
Slime Steps
Start with a large bowl for mixing. Add one cup of cornstarch and break any clumps.
Next, add the shaving cream. This is the step that is tricky to be exact with. If you spray the shaving cream into the measuring cup it will foam up past the top. If you let it foam up past the top, then aim to only add a cup and a half. If your shaving cream doesn’t foam that much, or you level it off, then two cups will work better.
Mix the cornstarch and shaving cream together. You will get a slightly crumbly mixture that should stick together in small balls when squeezed together.
Next add the quarter cup of water. I added one table spoon at a time and mixed before adding more. I personally found warm water worked best, but either should work.
If you are happy with the mixture before adding all of the water, then don’t finishing adding it all. The mixture should not be sticky or running. It should stick together, but not stick to your hands. It should also hold its shape versus oozing like Oobleck.
Once all mixed, you will have a ball of slime the size of a large orange.
I feel that the best way to describe the texture is like a clay slime, but my kids, their friends and my students feel that it is closer to a cloud slime. Either way it’s easy to make and fun to play with.
Troubleshooting Your Slime
Slime can be very tricky to get just right. Ultimately, if you like the feel and texture of your slime then there’s no need to change anything. However, if something isn’t quite right, try some of the tricks below to get your slime just right.
Slime Too Wet
If your slime is too wet, try adding more cornstarch. Add small amounts and mix it in each time. If the consistency become too runny, like Oobleck, add more shaving cream, not water, to balance the mixture.
Slime Too Dry?
If your slime is too dry, start by adding more shaving cream. The mixture will only work if the main parts of the slime are shaving cream and cornstarch. Only ever add small amounts of water.
If you add too much water your mixture will become fluffy Oobleck. Adding drops or teaspoons of water is usually enough, but always start by adding shaving cream if your slime is too dry.
How to Make Slime Without Glue
Personalize Your Slime
Once your slime is the consistency you want, you can customize your slime. Food coloring or paint works well to add a pop of color. Add a few drops at a time and mix thoroughly by hand.
Once you are happy with your slime and color, you can add more details, such as sparkles or foam balls. Add as much as you wish and mix with your hands.
Once you have added everything to make your slime perfect, it’s time to play.
Sensory Slime Play
Half the fun of slime is mixing and creating it. However, once it is made it can lead to hours of fun. In kindergarten, my students love using cookie cutters with their slime. It’s a new and different feeling pushing a cookie cutter into this slime, versus play dough.
Slime is a great calming material for children to play with, stretch and roll.
Use objects from around the room to press into the slime and leave different prints or fold different objects, such as beads into the slime for children to find.
Add another color to the slime after playing with it for a whole new slime.
How to Make Slime Without Glue Recipe
Save the guess work on how to make this no activator and no glue slime with a printable recipe. Click the grey lockbox below and subscribe through Grow. Once you subscribe the slime recipe will download right away.
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