Recipe · No glue
Chia seed slime (no glue, no borax)
A slime with no glue and no boron, made from chia seeds, water, and cornstarch: the recipe, the soaking time, and what to know before you start.
- DifficultyEasy
- Time15 min + overnight
- Makes1 large bowl
- Recommended ageAges 3+, with an adult
Chia seeds form a gel when you let them soak in water. Mixed with cornstarch, that gel turns into a gooey, textured dough with no glue and no activator, so no boron. It’s a good option for younger kids, to make the day before.
It isn’t a stretchy slime like the glue ones: it’s a sensory dough full of tiny seeds.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chia seeds
- 1¾ cups (420 ml) water
- 2 to 4 cups (480 to 960 ml) cornstarch, depending on the texture you want
- Food coloring (optional)
Supplies: a mixing bowl, plastic wrap.
Steps
- Mix the chia seeds and water in the bowl.
- Add food coloring if you like.
- Cover and let it sit for at least half a day, ideally 12 to 36 hours (in the fridge or on the counter).
- Add the cornstarch one cup at a time, stirring; after two cups, knead by hand.
- Stop when the dough has the texture you want, without going over four cups of cornstarch.
The most common slime fails
- Too runny
- Add cornstarch in small amounts.
- Too dry or crumbly
- Add a little water and knead.
- The gel didn’t form
- It didn’t soak long enough: wait a few more hours.
Why does it work?
The outer coat of chia seeds contains fibers that soak up water and form mucilage, a thick, slimy gel. Cornstarch thickens that gel until it becomes a dough.
How to store it
In the fridge, in a closed container, for a few days. A little water and some kneading bring it back. Throw it out at the first funny smell.
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