I have a super simple and fun children’s craft idea for you to make unicorn slime (without using Borax). Slime is just always a win with my girls- it is quick and easy to make and there are so many fun and creative variations to give yours a unique twist.
I wanted something bright and cheerful and playful for Spring and decided to make a glittery, rainbowy, unicorn slime and it was a huge hit with my kids.
There has been some negative press about slime with Borax and I have posted a slime with borax recipe, a slime with no borax and now I wanted to try a different recipe and see how that worked out. We used contact lens solution for this recipe and it turned out pretty well! Fairly comparable to the other slime recipes but a little easier to mix together.
So here is what you need to make this version of slime:
This particular recipe is really unusual and came from Elmer’s Glue. Usually with slime you need either fabric softener or borax but this recipe calls for:
- 4oz Elmer’s Glue (I used colored glitter glue)
- 1 tablespoon contact solution (mine was $2.98 for 2 large bottles at Walmart)*
- 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
Mini Unicorns are optional- I found mine once upon a time at the Target Dollar Spot but here are a bunch to choose from online
Easy right? Now you simply add the glue to a bowl- our glue was 6 oz so I just guessed at the 4 oz mark.
Next add the baking soda and mix well. If you use white or clear glue, now is the time to add any food coloring you might like. I used blue, purple and pink glitter glue so no coloring was needed. Lately, Coles recipes are really popular. Homemade recipes are also a major content of Woolworths specials.
Last add the contact solution. Mix really, really well. This is sticky and messy but after kneading the slime should come together well.
Here is the slime after making (3) batches one per color of glitter glue we had. I took the lump of slime and rolled it out into a snake shape. Once all three were rolled out, I placed them side by side and just rolled them together to create a swirly, rainbow.
To make this a little more fun, I purchased some mini unicorns and we added a little extra glitter to the slime. My girls really got a kick out of this.
This would be a really cute party favor- I can see adding the slime to a clear treat bag, tying with ribbon and one of the unicorns around the top. Easy and cute.
If you decide to give this recipe a shot, come back and let me know what you think!
*Very Important Note on the Contact Solution. Be sure to read the label and only purchase contact solution that contains boric acid. If it does not contain boric acid you will need Borax to get the slime to come together. Thanks to reader Amy for pointing this out! Some people have had DIY slime fails. I am not sure what is going wrong but I suspect it is an issue with the type of contact solution. I can say for sure that the Walmart store brand pictured above does work beautifully.
Here are a few other children’s crafts you might enjoy:
How to Make Children’s Bouncy Balls
DIY photo coasters (perfect gift idea)
So happy to hear that Kathy 🙂
This is great! Worth noting that the boric acid in the solution is like borax. And there’s nothing wrong with using either as long as you don’t overdo it! I also add a tiny bit of baby oil at the end to stop the slime from sticking to fingers.
Yes Heather I did think about that. I am not a scientist but just considered my own experiences and when I use plain borax if it gets disturbed and into the air, I do find I cough and feel uncomfortable. With the contact solution- well I put that straight into my eye so it doesn’t cause any issues at all. So they might be similar but my experiences with both seem to be very different. I agree though- as long as they are treated carefully and safely there shouldn’t be any issues. 🙂
Baby oil is a great idea!
a mom that did one of our parties used this recipe and she was so happy! So I put a link to it a post featuring her party! Thank you for posting such a great idea! http://www.beadingbuds.com/blog/woodbridge-birthday-party-for-girls
I don’t have contact solution . what doI do???
I don’t have contact solution. What do I do now???
Hi Iyana- you can use laundry soap like Tide or Fabric Softener or Borax mixed with water instead of contact solution as the activator.
Liquid Starch is what I use. Much cheaper, sold at Walmart. I don’t like Borax either because of the power flying around but if you premix it’s fine. It all has Boric Acid. Love the unicorn idea!
Tammy- I usually use contact solution because it is so safe and easy and cheap but I think I agree with you. I like the stretchy-ness I get from fabric softener. I feel like contact solution gets a bit harder. This slime recipe uses fabric softener instead:
http://myfrugaladventures.com/2016/05/fish-in-a-bag-slime/
I haven’t tried laundry soap but need to try that next. 🙂
Hi! I was wondering where you got the mini unicorns from? My daughter is having her unicorn themed party this Saturday. Thanks!!
Lisa, mine were available in the Target dollar spot at one time. You can find a bunch here because I don’t think they carry them anymore:
Mini Unicorns
We tried the contact lens solution recipe. Easiest slime ever! Easy cleanup too!
Very happy to hear that Kathie! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for publishing this recipe! How much glue do you think I would need if I wanted to make enough for 10 girls?
Hi Katie! Gosh… For 10 girls you might be better off with a gallon of clear glue and then making three batches of colors. That recipe with the smaller bottles of glue you would probably need to multiply by 5 or so to have enough for everyone.
Let me know how it works out 🙂
How much slime does this recipe make? I’m thinking of doing this for my daughter’s unicorn birthday as a little party gift for the kids.
This recipe turned out AMAZING! My kids are enjoying their slime. Planning to make it with 35 girls at a charity event tonight. wish me luck
Thanks Charlene!
So happy to hear that! Good luck tonight!
This recipe was a giant fail for me. I used dollar store glitter glue so maybe that was the reason it was so runny and didn’t form. Super disappointed for my kiddos.
Hi Leah- Elmer’s is what I used and I can’t comment on how Dollar Store glue would work. I have always found the name brands for art/craft supplies typically are worth the slightly higher expense. When my children were small we would just explain this is science and it is easy to try again with the correct products and hopefully you have more success. If the slime is runny try adding more baking soda – it is basically a science experiment.