This summer, my kids approached me with an unusual request: they wanted to use cornstarch to create slime. “Slime?” I thought, recalling the gooey green mess that used to splatter on unsuspecting Nickelodeon fans back in my teenage years. As any parent knows, when kids come to you with a peculiar idea, it’s wise to dig a little deeper. I had no clue how to make this slime and, after their explanation of simply mixing cornstarch with water—“How do you not know that?”—I figured it couldn’t hurt. I told them to have fun, provided they contained their creativity to the kitchen. Little did I know what lay ahead.
What a revelation! This wasn’t the same slime I remembered; it was vibrant and squishy. With just a few everyday ingredients—including those I now find myself purchasing regularly—the kids were entertained for days. I didn’t even mind the hardened globs stuck to the kitchen sink or the cornstarch footprints scattered across our wooden floors. They were engaged and happy, a rare and marvelous sight.
My normally restless 9-year-old was completely absorbed in his slime, pulling and poking at it with a calmness I had never seen before. We had previously tried stress balls and other fidget toys during long car rides, but nothing worked as effectively as this newfound slime.
The following week, my daughter asked if we could hit the store for Borax and glue. Naturally, I was intrigued but curious about her intentions. “To make slime, of course!” she explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. (Pro tip: clear glue yields the best results, and it’s available in bulk.)
While shopping at Target, she expressed her desire to grab some food coloring and glitter to create “fancy” slime. She then pulled out her phone and showed me a video of a woman poking slime. Yes, you read that right—just poking slime. The internet is ablaze with viral videos featuring people stretching, folding, and squishing slime, and apparently, I had been swept up in the excitement too.
Don’t judge until you see it. I found myself mesmerized by a beautiful pink creation. Watching her manipulate the slime lulled me into a trance; it looked like frosting and emitted satisfying bubble-popping sounds. I was both intrigued and confused by my own fascination.
Suddenly, the sound of a dropped pan jolted me out of my reverie, leaving me wondering about the bizarre spell I had just experienced. It seemed that the same activity that kept my kids entertained all summer had entranced me as well. Was I really getting excited about slime? Part of me wanted to delve into the world of slime-making myself, even if I wasn’t sure whether I found it irritating or utterly delightful.
I must admit, the glitter and food coloring that now stained my butcher block island were somewhat annoying. My kitchen resembled an arts and crafts zone that had seen years of toddler chaos, and our budget was tied up in glue and cornstarch. Yet, I would gladly choose calm, cooperative kids reveling in slime over the usual sibling squabbles and complaints about fast food.
Truth be told, during moments of solitude or stress, I often find myself reaching for one of the countless blobs of slime that have taken residence in our home. They’re stashed everywhere—from our junk drawer to the freezer and even behind the toilet. Just squeezing one of those blobs brings me a surprising amount of joy.
If you’re inclined to join the slime-making trend, here’s a simple recipe to get started. I dare you not to give it a poke! And feel free to add some glitter for that extra special touch.
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Summary:
This article explores the recent trend of slime-making that has captivated children and even parents. After a fun introduction to the world of DIY slime, the author reflects on the calming effects it has had on her kids and herself. The piece also provides a simple recipe for making slime at home, encouraging others to join in the fun.