Homemade Slime: A Polymer Experiment
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Gregg Payne
30 August 2024
🕓 4 min
Slime has become a popular, go-to activity for children, but did you know it’s also a great way to explore the science of polymers? Making homemade slime is not only fun but also educational, providing kids with hands-on experience with chemistry. In this experiment, we’ll guide you through how to make slime at home and explain the science behind its stretchy, gooey texture. Let’s dive into this simple polymer experiment and discover why slime is so fascinating!
1. What You’ll Need
- ½ cup of white school glue (PVA glue)
- ½ cup of water
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution (containing boric acid)
- Food colouring (optional)
- A mixing bowl and spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix glue and water: Start by pouring the glue into a mixing bowl. Add an equal amount of water and stir until the glue and water are well combined.
- Add food colouring (optional): If you want colourful slime, add a few drops of food colouring at this stage and stir until the colour is evenly distributed.
- Add baking soda: Stir in ½ teaspoon of baking soda. This will help firm up the slime.
- Add contact lens solution: Now, add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution. This is the key ingredient that helps the glue transform into slime. Stir until the mixture thickens and starts to form a ball.
- Knead the slime: Once the mixture begins to come together, use your hands to knead the slime. It might be sticky at first, but keep kneading until it becomes smooth and stretchy.
Now your slime is ready to play with!
2. The Science Behind Slime: What Are Polymers?
Slime is a great example of a polymer. But what exactly is a polymer? Let’s break it down:
- Polymers are long chains of molecules that are connected together. When you mix glue (which is made of the polymer polyvinyl acetate) with the boric acid in the contact lens solution, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction links the polymer chains in the glue together, forming a flexible, stretchy material we know as slime.
- Cross-linking: When the boric acid from the contact lens solution interacts with the glue, it creates bonds between the polymer chains. This is called cross-linking, and it’s what gives slime its unique texture—it’s not quite a liquid, but not a solid either. It’s a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity (how it flows) can change depending on how much force you apply to it.
3. Tips for Perfect Slime
- Adjust the consistency: If your slime is too sticky, add a little more contact lens solution to firm it up. If it’s too stiff, add a little more water or glue to soften it.
- Experiment with textures: Try adding glitter, beads, or small foam balls to your slime to give it extra texture. This adds a sensory element to the activity and makes it even more fun to play with.
- Storage: Keep your slime in an airtight container when not in use. This will help it last longer and prevent it from drying out.
4. Exploring Further: The World of Polymers
Polymers are everywhere, not just in slime! Here are a few examples of polymers you encounter in everyday life:
- Plastic: Plastics are made from synthetic polymers and are used in everything from toys to water bottles.
- Rubber: The rubber in tyres and balloons is also a polymer that has been processed to be stretchy and durable.
- Clothing fibres: Many synthetic fabrics, like nylon and polyester, are made from polymer fibres that are woven into threads.
Slime is a fun way to introduce children to the world of polymers, showing them how these long chains of molecules behave in different ways.
5. Safety Tips
While making slime is generally safe when using household ingredients, it's important to follow some basic safety guidelines:
- Always supervise young children during the process.
- Avoid ingesting any ingredients or finished slime product.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling slime.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade slime is an exciting, hands-on experiment that teaches children about polymers and chemical reactions while allowing them to get creative. By mixing glue with a few simple ingredients, they can see chemistry in action, learning about cross-linking and the properties of non-Newtonian fluids. Plus, slime is just plain fun to play with!
If your child enjoys science activities like this, our Science of Sound holiday camps offer even more interactive experiments that make learning fun. Explore our upcoming camps here and give your child a chance to dive deeper into the world of STEM!
