How To Make Edible Slime: The 13 Best At Home Recipes

Slime is the ultimate sensory activity that is great fun for kids (and adults) of all ages to play with. If you can make your own slime at home, you even get to throw in a bit of science to add to the excitement. Most slime recipes, however, contain borax, glue, or other toxic substances that are more at home in a chemistry lab than your kitchen cupboard. While older children may understand how to handle the slime sensibly, it makes it off limits for younger kids who are likely to sneak some of it into their mouths when you're not looking.

Fortunately there is a perfect solution — edible slime. Made from completely safe, food-based ingredients that you will likely have in your pantry or can easily find at the store, these slime recipes are all safe if your young scientists decide to have a nibble or two.

Just because they are technically safe, of course, does not mean they are fit to replace their usual mid-morning snack. Many of these slimes are high in sugar and definitely not dentist-approved, while some of them don't taste particularly appetizing. But at least you won't have to panic if you suspect that some finger licking has taken place during this particular craft activity. Let's have a look at 13 edible slime recipes that you can use to introduce your kids to the wonders of science.

If you're going to make some edible slime, you may as well create one with delicious, tropical vibes. Using coconut milk means that if a curious and hungry toddler decides to sample it, they won't get too much of a shock. Without the traditional borax to make gak, thickening up the mixture and creating the signature slimy texture, coconut slime uses the pantry staple cornstarch for its chemicals instead. In the same way that it can thicken up a Béchamel sauce for your lasagna, it will turn the coconut mixture into a delightfully stretchy goo.

To make the slime, mix 1 ½ cups of cornflour with 8 tablespoons of icing sugar, before adding ¾ of a cup of canned coconut milk. If you have ever drunk coconut milk from a carton, you will know that it is much thinner than the canned version, so it wouldn't make a good substitute. Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture to make it more appealing. If the coloring makes the mixture too runny, you can add some extra cornstarch to balance it out.

Mix everything up with a spoon initially, then use your hands to mold it into a ball and keep working it until you have the stretchy consistency you desire. While the slime is edible, the cornstarch means it won't taste great, so it's unlikely your little ones will choose to turn it into a fun new neon snack.

They are such a fun sweet snack, but gummy bears are just as useful for doing science experiments, too. If you have a microwave, you can turn these candies into delicious edible slime in just a few minutes. It seems logical, given that they are pretty stretchy to begin with, so with just a couple of added ingredients, you can transform them into a sensory sensation.

Start by heating 1 cup of gummy bears in the microwave to turn them into a gooey liquid. Heat them for 10 seconds at a time, checking after each turn. Once you have removed the liquid from the microwave, stir in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of icing sugar and mix well until you have a perfect texture that is stretchy but not too sticky. If it is not as stretchy as you would like, you can add a little coconut oil to loosen it out a bit.

Unlike many edible slimes, this one does actually taste really good. So keep an eye out for any younger children having more than a nibble on the sugary slime — especially just before naptime!

Whether you are doing some Halloween craft or just trying to entertain a group of children, monster slime is always going to be a hit. In the case of this particular scary slime, its edible nature means the thought of the children accidentally eating it doesn't have to terrify you too much.

The slime is based on marshmallows, adding about 4 cups of them to the microwave with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Heat them for 20 seconds to begin with, then in 10 second intervals, stirring the mixture between each blast of heat. Add half a cup of cornflour and mix everything up until it is fully combined. Choose the most monstrous food coloring you can find — bright green is a good option — and mix it through as well.

Transfer the mixture to a floured chopping board and allow it to cool and achieve its slimy consistency. If it seems too runny, add a little more cornstarch until it is perfect. The kids can then have fun decorating the slime into scary monsters using cake decorations and other edible accessories.

No list of edible slime would be complete without including a chocolate version. After all, virtually everything is better with chocolate (there is a reason everyone likes chocolate so much, after all), and slime is no exception. If your kids love baking, they will definitely enjoy the crossover of food and science, creating stretchy, gooey slime with just a few store cupboard ingredients.

Start by adding ¼ cup of golden syrup or light corn syrup to a microwavable bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Add ½ cup of cornflour and 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and mix well to incorporate. Add a teaspoon of light oil to loosen the texture a little, and any flavorings you like, such as vanilla. You can then decorate the slime with edible treats such as chocolate chips or sprinkles to make it even more fun.

While playing with this chocolate slime feels similar to messing about with uncooked cake batter, the cornstarch means that it is unlikely to be as satisfying in large quantities. A little nibble of the slime will be fine, but make sure that your little scientists know not to tuck into it as a makeshift snack.

Psyllium husk is an ingredient that some keen home cooks may have in their pantry, as it is a plant-based, gluten-free source of fiber. Its properties make it a good binding agent in baking, and also allows it to be used in edible slime.

Combining the psyllium husk with water is the key to creating the stretchy consistency the slime needs — 1 cup of water will be enough for each tablespoon of psyllium husk. Add a tablespoon of icing sugar and your choice of food coloring. Mix everything up in a microwave-safe bowl and leave it to stand to allow the fiber to soak up as much of the water as possible.

Once the mixture has started to turn gooey, microwave it until it begins to bubble. Leave to cool before playing with it. This slime is not as stretchy as some of the others, but will still have a fun, slippery texture that kids will love. Psyllium husk is often used as a laxative, so keep an eye on curious fingers to make sure they aren't popping too much of it into their mouths — or prepare to see the effects afterwards.

If you are wanting to make some slime but don't think you have the right ingredients, a rummage around at the back of your kitchen cupboard may prove fruitful. If you have a pack of instant pudding mix and some cornstarch, you can whip up a batch of slime that will smell great and be nibble-safe.

Mix up ¼ cup of any color and flavor of instant pudding mix with ½ cup of cornstarch, then add ⅓ cup of wwarm water and stir it well. Add a further ½ cup of cornstarch very slowly, adding a little at a time and stirring thoroughly in between. You will know when it's ready, as the mixture will be difficult to stir. You can experiment with adding more water to thin down the mixture or more cornstarch to thicken it, until you have a slime consistency that you are happy with. Though the pudding slime is non-toxic, bear in mind that some brands may have artificial colorings and flavors, so you may want to discourage young children from consuming large quantities.

If your kids love stretching out salt water taffy, why not make it into an edible slime for them so that they can have fun stretching it all day? Since the recipe doesn't include cornstarch, it makes it a tastier option than many of the dough-like slimes, but it is very high in sugar, so is definitely not dentist-approved.

Melt half a bag of taffy in the microwave for around 30 seconds, then remove and stir. Measure ¼ cup of powdered sugar and empty onto a clean countertop before adding the melted taffy to it. Knead the mixture together as you would dough, and keep working it until you have a satisfyingly stretchy and slimy mixture. Bear in mind that this version of edible slime is essentially candy with more sugar added, so expect a sugar rush if the little ones sneak a bit more than you had planned for.

If your kids think that Nutella is amazing on virtually everything — toast, bagels, or even just straight from the spoon — then they are going to love making Nutella slime. It ends up more like a play dough than a stretchy slime, but they are unlikely to complain as they squish their science creation and lick off the bits that get stuck on their hands.

Add a can of condensed milk to a saucepan with 5 tablespoons of Nutella and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and heat it till it boils, stirring gently. Once it has boiled, remove it from the heat and leave it to cool. You will need to add some icing sugar to the cooked mixture to get the right texture — knead in a couple of tablespoons at a time until you are happy with the consistency. Remember that making slime takes a bit of trial and error, so have fun experimenting with the quantities and teaching the kids about science as they create it.

Is there a more iconic kids dessert than Jello? It's such a fun substance even on its own, jiggling about in the bowl, so why not turn their favorite sweet treat into a fun slime using only three edible ingredients? It's so simple to put together that even the youngest slime fans will be able to help out.

Start by choosing your Jello powder — you can use sugar-free or regular, and any flavor you wish. Add half of a pack into a bowl with half a cup of cornstarch, then incorporate the water slowly, stirring well between each tablespoon, until you achieve the perfect consistency. As with all cornstarch slime recipes, if it seems too runny, add a little more starch or increase the water if it feels dry or too thick. Like Jello itself, you can expect some sticky hands after playing with this particular slime — but of course, that's all part of the fun.

Licking the spoon while baking is one of life's little pleasures, so why not let your kids have a nibble at some frosting slime as they engage in some sensory play at the same time? Created in minutes using frosting from a can, this slime is thick like play dough, but with a much more appealing smell.

To make the frosting slime, you will need a can of frosting — use a colored version if you can get some. Add to ⅔ cup of powdered milk and ½ cup of cornstarch. Mix the ingredients up thoroughly, then add more cornstarch if you need to thicken it up, until you have the texture you want. If you are struggling to get the consistency exactly right, add a little oil to your hands as you knead. This should be enough to give the dough a bit of elasticity and get it ready for play time.

Although marshmallows are a treat associated with childhood, young children are actually not recommended to eat them until the age of 5, due to the risk of choking. By making edible slime using marshmallows, your pre-schoolers can enjoy the fun and sweet scent of marshmallows in a safe way.

Place 6 large marshmallows in a microwavable bowl with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, then microwave for 30 seconds. Be sure to watch closely as it heats, to prevent it from burning, and be aware that the marshmallow mixture will be extremely hot when it comes out. Incorporate ½ a tablespoon of cornstarch once the mixture is cool enough to handle, and knead it well to create your desired slime texture. You can adjust the cornstarch quantity depending on whether you want it to be stretchy or more like putty.

Chia seeds have become a bit of a health sensation in recent years, due to their high quantities of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. They have an unusual property that sees them turn from tiny solid seeds into a gloopy gel when you add water to them, and this makes them a great ingredient in homemade edible slime. It needs a little more forethought than the other slimes on this list, but still only takes a few minutes of active time.

Make up the chia seed mixture the night before by adding ¼ cup of seeds to just under 2 cups of water. Mix them up thoroughly, then incorporate a few drops of your chosen food coloring and stir well. Place in the fridge overnight, where the chia seeds will soak up the water and swell to up to 12 times their original size, forming a sticky gel in the process.

The following day, add a cup of cornstarch to the mixture and fold it in, then continue adding cornstarch until you are happy with the texture. The amount of cornstarch means it won't taste great, but it is totally non-toxic and safe for little hands to explore.

Whether you are looking to make slime with a festive theme or just love the smell of ginger in the house — who doesn't? — this recipe for edible gingerbread slime will go down well. It contains a few more ingredients than some of the others on this list, but the awesome smell will make up for any extra effort.

Start with vanilla frosting from a can, and heat in the microwave for around a minute, or until the texture is easy to pour. Measure out ⅔ cup of powdered milk and mix it with a teaspoon each of ginger and cinnamon, along with a pinch of cloves and nutmeg. Add the melted frosting and ¼ cup of dark molasses to the dry mixture and stir well. To create the signature slimy texture, add ½ a cup of cooking oil and 1 ½ cups of cornstarch, adding them slowly and stirring well in between until the consistency seems right.

As with all of the variations of slime on this list, edible gingerbread slime should be refrigerated in between uses to prevent it from going bad, and it will not last as long as regular slime. That just means your kids will need to have more fun making their homemade slime again next week, keeping their scientific curiosity going.