Rainbow slime in preschool

Your students will love making their very own colored slime!

I have previously shared with you our simple slime recipe and when my students asked if we could make some slime again – how could I resist?

I decided that instead of using the white Elmer’s glue, we should try using the clear Elmer’s glue which I picked up from Walmart. The clear glue has a more translucent look to it and the colors really pop and since we are talking about rainbows, I want the slime to be bright and colorful!

The How To

To make this slime recipe you will need…

  • 1 Part Elmers Clear School Glue
  • 1 Part Liquid Starch
  • food color

The children started by pouring a full bottle of clear glue into a bowl for each color of slime we chose to make…

Then the children filled the clear bottles up with liquid starch (we filled the bottles just about 2/3’s full instead of all the way full) and poured that into the bowl on top of the glue…

And then each child selected one color from our food coloring and added a few drops into the glue and starch mixture…

The children then used a spoon to mix the glue, starch, and food color up until the food color seemed to be well blended and the mixture started to “gel” (this goes very quick)…

Exploring the Slime

Once the slime started gelling a bit, the children set down the spoons and dove in to finish the process with their hands.  By using a spoon at first, it keeps the concentrated areas food color from getting on hands. Once it is mixed up a bit, the food color is much less likely or unlikely to stain hands at all….

After the slime starts to really gel up, then we transferred the slime out of the bowls and onto a tray.  I actually even rinsed off the slime just a quick second and then set it on the trays. The children used their hands to knead the slime. The longer the slime is played with, the more pliable and less sticky it becomes….

The children played with the slime for quite awhile and then we put it away to enjoy again the next day. I added a few more colors of slime as well to what the children had made. The threes joined us for the next day it was a rainbow colored slime party all throughout the classroom…

Building Fine Motor Skills

The children used their hands to pull, stretch, roll, shape, and squeeze the slime…

You will want to make sure the children keep the slime on a washable surface and off of carpet or clothing…

The children also used scissors to cut the slime…

Enjoying the Sensory Experience

By the end of our day, I let the children mix some of the slime colors and for the most part, we ended up with primarily green slime but the children really didn’t care – it still felt and looked like slime…

Storing Slime

We saved the rest of our slime for another day. Slime can be saved in a sealed container or plastic bag for awhile – perhaps up to several weeks. I don’t know for sure because we tend to mix it all up and use it until we decide just to throw it away and start over….

Why we Love Rainbow Slime

It really is such a wonderful material for sensory play and to work those small muscles…

A great way to feel a rainbow!

View this process on Fox 59!

You may have seen us featured on the Fox News Segment: Making Goop for Kids

Slime ingredients are available on Amazon….

    

Books on Amazon…

 

(A book about how each color of the rainbow makes you feel!)

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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