This week for a weekly experiment we decided to make slime. I know this sounds odd as an experiment, but actually it’s pretty neat.
The boys each took an 8 oz. bottle of white glue and poured it into a plastic container. After the glue was completely out, I then filled the glue bottle with warm warmer, shook it up and then poured it into the glue.
They stirred what they thought was forever (it wasn’t that long) to get the glue and water mixed together and then added two drops of food color. I tried to talk them into adding more food color, but they wanted pastel colors and just adding the two drops was the perfect amount for them to get the color they were looking for. 
Once the food color was mixed in, I took 1/2 cup of warm water and mixed it in with 1 teaspoon Borax. Stirred that just a second and then slowly started adding it to the glue mixture.
Immediately upon pouring the borax water into the mixture you can see the changes start to happen. The reason changes start taking place is because the borax is acting as the cross-linking agent or “connector” for the glue molecules. Once the glue molecules join together to form even larger molecules called polymers, you get a thickened gel very similar to slime. 
The borax is acting as the crosslinking agent or “connector” for the glue (polyvinyl acetate) molecules. Once the glue molecules join together to form even larger molecules called polymers, you get a thickened gel very similar to slime. If you’ve tried this recipe (formula) before using blue starch (instead of the borax) with mixed results, you won’t be disappointed with this one. Works every time! If you have access to a chemical supply house, try a 4% solution of polyvinyl alcohol instead of the glue for a less rubbery polymer and one that is transparent showing off the color better.
The end results the boys had a blast playing with it. We store it in glass jars when it isn’t being played with.
- 8-oz bottle of white glue
- 1 teaspoon Borax
- Food Color
- Large Mixing Bowl or plastic container
- Spoon
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoon
- Water
- Mason Jar
- Empty the entire bottle of glue into a mixing bowl or plastic container.
- Fill the empty glue bottle with warm water, put cap on and shake. Pour into the mixing bowl. Mix well until the glue and water are combined.
- Add food coloring to the glue and water mixture. We started with two drops, but you can add more depending on the color you are wanting to achieve.
- Fill measuring cup with 1/2 cup of warm water and add 1 teaspoon of borax. Mix well.
- Slowly add a little of the Borax solution to the food coloring, glue and water mixture and stir. Immediately you can see how the molecules change as the substance gets sticky and harder to stir.
- Eventually you'll have to use your hands to get it completely mixed.
- Store in tightly sealed jar.
