This past summer, my kids approached me with a request to use cornstarch to craft slime. “Slime?” I echoed, envisioning the gooey green concoction from my teenage years on Nickelodeon. As any parent knows, such statements warrant further inquiry. I had no clue how to create slime, but when they explained that it was simply mixing cornstarch with water, I figured it was safe enough. I gave them the green light, provided they kept the chaos confined to the kitchen.
What a delightful surprise it turned out to be! This was no ordinary slime; it was colorful and wonderfully squishy. With just a few common ingredients—ingredients I now find myself buying regularly—my kids were entertained for two entire days. The remnants of cornstarch stuck to the kitchen sink and the little footprints on our wooden floors seemed almost charming. They were happily engaged and free from boredom—what a win!
My typically restless 9-year-old was calm and focused, pulling and poking at his new creation. We’ve tried various stress-relief toys for long car rides or while waiting at restaurants, but nothing soothed him like this slime did.
The following week, my daughter asked if we could venture to the store for Borax and glue. Naturally, I was on board but curious about her plans. “To make slime, of course!” she replied with a hint of disbelief. (Just a tip: clear glue yields the best results, and it’s available in bulk).
While we shopped at Target, she requested food coloring and glitter to create “fancy” slime. Suddenly, she pulled out her phone and showed me a video of someone simply poking slime. Yes, you read that right—just poking it! I was amazed to discover that there are countless viral videos on platforms like Instagram and YouTube featuring people making, pulling, and squishing slime, and it seems many have fallen under its spell, myself included.
Don’t judge me until you see it. I was captivated. The slime was a beautiful shade of pink, and I found myself entranced as I watched the woman manipulate it. It resembled frosting or gelato, but without the mess, producing satisfying bubble-popping sounds. I almost wanted to taste it. I was perplexed yet undeniably entertained.
A loud crash in the store snapped me back to reality. I wondered what had just happened to me. Apparently, the same mesmerizing experience had kept my kids happily absorbed all summer long. Whether making slime, playing with it, or watching others handle it, there’s something oddly hypnotic about this activity. Am I genuinely excited about slime now? It seems I might be, despite my mixed feelings.
I have to admit, the glitter and food coloring that stained my butcher block island was a bit annoying, leaving my kitchen resembling a craft store explosion. Still, I’ll take calmer, collaborative kids who are joyfully squeezing slime over the alternative of them bickering and begging for fast food.
In truth, sometimes when I’m feeling down or stressed, I sneak one of the countless blobs of slime we now have scattered throughout our home (seriously, they’re in our junk drawer, freezer, and even behind the toilet) and give it a squeeze, which brings me unexpected joy.
If you’re interested, here’s a simple slime recipe for you to try. I dare you not to give it a poke or a pull! And if you’re feeling adventurous, throw in some glitter for that extra flair.
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In summary, the slime-making trend has captured my children’s attention in a delightful way, providing hours of entertainment. Despite the mess, I find joy in their creativity and the calming effect it has on them—and even on me.