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Another YouTube Craze Has Captivated My Kids: Slime-Making Videos Are All the Rage
My kids recently asked if they could whip up some slime using cornstarch. “Slime?” I questioned, recalling the gooey green stuff from Nickelodeon that haunted my teenage years in the ’90s. As any parent knows, such inquiries demand further investigation. I had no clue what slime-making entailed, but when they assured me it was just cornstarch mixed with water—“How do you not know that?”—I figured it couldn’t be too messy. Little did I know what I was getting into.
Wow, what a revelation! This is not the slime I remember; it’s colorful and squeezable. They had a blast with just a few simple ingredients (which I now find myself buying on a regular basis) and played with that slime for two whole days. I didn’t even mind the hardened bits that stuck to the sink, and the cornstarch footprints on our wood floors were surprisingly charming. My kids were entertained and not whining about boredom—what a win!
My typically restless 9-year-old was surprisingly calm as he pulled and poked his slime. We’ve tried various fidget toys for car rides and restaurant waits, but nothing has soothed him like this slime.
A week later, my daughter wanted to hit up the store for Borax and glue. Naturally, I was game but curious about her plans. You guessed it—more slime. Pro tip: clear glue is the way to go; you can even buy it by the gallon.
While we stocked up on slime supplies at Target, she asked if she could grab some food coloring and glitter to create “fancy” slime. Out came her phone to show me a video of someone simply poking slime. Yes, you read that right: just poking slime. There are countless viral videos on Instagram and YouTube of people manipulating slime, and it’s got everyone—including me—hooked.
Hold your judgment until you see it. I was entranced. The slime was a striking pink, and I found myself in a trance, watching her poke and knead it. It looked like frosting or gelato but without the mess. Plus, it made these cool bubble-popping sounds. I was oddly captivated and even felt a strange urge to taste it.
Just then, someone dropped a pan in aisle three, snapping me out of my slime-induced daze. What had just happened? Apparently, the same phenomenon that kept my kids quiet all summer. Making, playing with, or even just watching slime is oddly hypnotic. Is this really something that excites me now? I found myself wanting to dive into slime-making, despite being unsure if I was annoyed or enamored.
I won’t lie—the glitter and food coloring that stained my butcher block island were a bit irritating. Our kitchen now resembles an arts and crafts explosion, and our budget is tied up in glue and cornstarch. But honestly, I’ll take calm kids collaborating and laughing over the alternative of them bickering and begging for fast food.
And let’s be real, sometimes when I’m feeling down or stressed, I sneak one of the countless blobs of slime we now have (seriously, they’re everywhere—our junk drawer, the freezer, even the pantry) and give it a squeeze. It brings me unexpected joy.
If you’re tempted to join in on the fun, here’s a simple slime recipe. I dare you to resist giving it a poke or a pull. Add some glitter if you’re feeling fancy. Whatever floats your boat!
This article was originally published on Jan. 13, 2017.
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Summary: Slime-making has taken over my household, captivating my kids and even drawing me in. With just a few household ingredients, they’ve created colorful, squeezable slime that keeps them entertained for hours. The trend has me both intrigued and slightly annoyed by the glitter and mess, but the benefits of calm, happy kids far outweigh the drawbacks. If you’re curious about joining the slime craze, I encourage you to give it a try!