Out of this World Foam Slime
It is Spring Break so what better way to celebrate than to make some fun, foamy slime! Teach your kids the science behind slime!
Slime: Educate yourself on the goo-ey treat!
Slime is what we call a polymer. A polymer is a substance made up of a long chain of molecules that repeat. These chains are able to slide past each other.
Glue is also a type of polymer.
Common slime “activators” such as borax, liquid starch, and saline solution contain sodium tetraborate.
When mixed with glue, borate ions crosslink with the glue’s protein molecules, making them larger molecules that can no longer easily slide past each other. You have now made a new polymer!
Other polymers you may be familiar with are plastic baggies, instant snow, and balloons.
Now for the fun stuff: Foam Glitter Slime
Materials:
2/3 cup of Elmer’s White Glue
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Water
2-3 cups Shaving Cream (do not use shave gel)
2 Tablespoons of Contact Lens Solution (must contain boric acid and sodium borate in the ingredient list)
mixing bowl
food coloring
glitter (not necessary, but you can add for an extra sparkle)
Directions:
1. Put the glue into the bowl
2. Add the baking soda and water, the mix
3. Add in the shaving cream and mix
4. Add a few drops of food coloring and mix
5. Slowly add the contact solution. (Note: The contact solution is your 'activator'. I needed to add more than 2 tablespoons to my slime in order for it to form. You can add as much as you need until it is the consistency that you like!)
*Adult supervision required
Read this article to learn the science behind slime!
Watch this video to learn the science behind slime!
