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A few years ago, we tried our hands at non-sticky slime. After some tweaking and experimenting, we created the perfect fluffy slime recipe & we’ve been making (and sharing) it ever since. It’s the perfect way to add creativity and sensory play to their day while having fun playing with your kids! 

How to Make Non-Sticky slime 

It’s easier than you think!  If you haven’t made fluffy slime yet, you’re in for a treat! It’s such a blast, and the kids will love it.  They will play with it, stretch it, squish it, and have fun with this slime for hours.  It’s always on our “to-make” list when we want an easy and fun at-home activity that keeps everyone entertained. 

Person kneading fluffy slime.

How do you make Fluffy Slime?

Our kids have always wanted to make slime, but I wondered how to make slime less sticky… so we experimented until we came up with the perfect non-stick, homemade, fluffy slime recipe.  It was so much fun to make & it’s even more fun to use!  

This fluffy slime recipe is an easy shaving cream slime that is a super-fluffy type of slime that isn’t sticky!   I’ve experimented with several different recipes when I wanted to figure out how to make slime without glue – thinking that keeping the glue away would keep the stickiness at bay.  However, I found that adding the glue did not make it sticky or messy!  It just holds it together well.   

This is easy to make.  This slime is the perfect kid’s craft because the kids can create it with you in minutes and then play with the slime for hours!   Plus, it’s fun to join in on this craft!  You’ll love to play with slime after you make this fluffy slime recipe.  Trust me!   

🍎🍎🍎 Try making this Apple-scented play-dough, too! 🍎🍎🍎

So, when we decided to make the slime, I knew I needed a non-sticky slime recipe.  I returned to my old science books (from when I taught elementary school) and found a recipe for a Shaving Cream fluffy slime.  I adapted it a bit.  It works nicely. 

The kids loved making this slime, and I didn’t worry about the mess at all since I had prepared the area and figured out not only how to make slime with glue but also how to make slime not sticky. 

Fluffy Slime Equipment: 

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Microwave Safe Bowl
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons

Fluffy Slime Ingredients: 

Note: These ingredients are NOT edible!   

  • 1 Tablespoon Borax (see a list of alternatives at the bottom of the post)
  • Contact Solution
  • Shaving Cream
  • School Glue (I use white glue)
  • 1 cup Hot Water
  • 1/2 cup hot water (in addition to the 1 cup above) 
 fluffy slime ingredients

Directions for making Fluffy Slime: 

Before you begin, I want to remind you that this is a science experiment and should be handled as such.  Be safe and follow proper safety techniques.  I let our kids help (pouring, stirring, etc…), but the adult is ultimately responsible for making slime.   
I also suggest that the adult handles measuring the Borax (sodium borate), as well as mixing the Borax with hot water, as boric acid & hot water can both be dangerous if misused.   Boric Acid is often used to make homemade laundry detergent, but it works well to make this homemade fluffy slime.  

The Perfect Fluffy Slime Recipe: 

Step One: Mix the Tablespoon of Borax into the 1 cup of hot water and mix it until it dissolves.  
Set it aside.

Person pouring ingredients in to metal bowl.

Step Two:  In a separate large bowl, mix 1 cup of school glue with 1/2 cup of warm water. 

A person pouring glue into a metal bowl.


Step Three:  Add shaving cream.  You’ll want to mix in five cups of shaving cream (I use the cheap brand).  Gently stir this together until it is well-mixed.

A cup of shaving cream in a red measuring cup.


Step Four: Add two Tablespoons of contact solution.   (Again, I just bought a cheap brand of contact solution.)

Child adding ingredients into a metal bowl.


Step Five:  Add three tablespoons of the borax solution to the shaving cream solution.   
TIP:  Add 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition.   

Metal bowl with fluffy slime and a metal spoon.


Final Step: Mix it until it no longer sticks to the sides.

Optional: If you want to change it up a bit, you can add food coloring at the end and knead it in.  You can add it to the entire batch of fluffy slime, or you can separate it.  You could make pink, blue, orange, and even unicorn slime, but the kids didn’t want to add any food coloring to our slime. They thought it looked like a cloud when it was white.  Plus, I think that would take away the “non-mess” part of this activity.  Food coloring is always messy in our house.  lol! 
You can also make glitter slime by adding some glitter to the slime once you are in the final mixing stage. 

how to make fluffy slime

Our kids played with their fluffy slime for HOURS!   They got out pots & pans and pretended that it was food (it was easy to ‘cut’).  They put it into different containers and watched as it molded to the container shape.  

A little boy standing in front of a window stretching fluffy slime.

It was pulled, smushed, and squished it into cups while the kids listened to the funny sounds it would make.   The slime was stretched as far as our kids could stretch it before watching it break.  Then, they’d knead it & start again! 

DIY fluffy slime (Doesn't stick!)

Can you store fluffy slime?

Yes, you can, but it will lose its “FLUFF” and become more like regular slime.   Our kids could still play with it & re-use it the following day and for several days afterward because they didn’t mind that it was more like normal slime. 

Just store it in an air-tight baggie (zipped shut) or in = an air-sealed container.   As a mini-experiment, when we first made this slime on March 15, 2018, at 12 (noon), our kids played with it & then stored it in a baggie for several days.  When they got it back out on March 18, 2018… it was the same as it was the first day.  🙂 

How do you fix fluffy slime that is sticky?  

There may be a time when your fluffy slime feels sticky.  That’s ok.  It’s easy to fix!  Just add more contact solution!

If you find that the slime still feels a bit sticky, just add about 1/4 of a teaspoon of contact solution.   Mix this well by kneading the slime, stretching the slime, kneading it some more, etc…  Do this for about 2 minutes.  The saline solution is going to take away the sticky feeling.  If it is still sticky, repeat the process.   

TIP: When fixing sticky slime, be sure only to add 1/4 t. at a time, or you risk making the slime too hard.  If it becomes too hard, it loses its elasticity and isn’t as fun to use.  Then, when the kids go to stretch it or pull it, it just breaks apart.    

Borax Alternatives for Fluffy Slime 

Slime requires an activating ingredient.  This is what will turn your slime from a slimy gluey mess into the solid-formed slime that it becomes once it has been mixed. If you prefer not to use a laundry booster, we have a few alternatives that I’ll link below with our Amazon affiliate links.  They can also be purchased at most stores or pharmacies. 

NOTE
: Almost all slime recipes (even ‘non-borax slime) calling for “contact solution” or “saline solution” will contain sodium borate (Borax).   The Sodium borate is already in the saline solution, so it does remove the step of making the solution yourself, which helps you to avoid touching the Borax. 

Here are some “Borax Alternatives” for slime, although our favorite one is the contact solution. 

To make fluffy slime without Borax

If you choose to use a contact solution that already contains Borax, such as Renu Fresh Contact Lens Solution, it’s simple.   
To make this fluffy slime without Borax: 

  • Combine one cup of white glue with 1 cup of shaving cream.   Mix well.   
  • Next, add 2 cups of shaving cream.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • Add 2 teaspoons of the saline solution containing Borax (to remove the stickiness) 
  • Stir until combined. 
  • Remove the slime from the bowl and knead it well until it is the consistency that you’d like. 

You can play around with the ingredients a bit, adding more shaving cream, etc… until you find the perfect consistency for you. 

A Few Mess-Free Tips (while making slime)

 1. If the thought of a mess stops you from crafting, just remember always to use a tablecloth when you are making the craft (Tip: Stock up on the really cheap tablecloths at the dollar store.  Then you can just toss them after you finish a craft or activity.  

2. Grab a mop & a wash rag to keep close by while making slime.   This way, if glue, glitter, or drops of food coloring make their way onto the floor, you can immediately wipe it away.  

mess free fluffy slime recipe

Check out 50 More at-home activities you’re kids will love! 

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… and a few DIY ideas to keep things Mess-Free! 

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Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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52 Comments

  1. I am the great-grandmother of 7 little ones. They range in age from 9 yrs. to 12 mos. Twin 4 yr old girls and the 12 mo. old boy live with me. This sight is a God send for me.

    1. Thank you so much! This is the first slime I ever made for my 2 granddaughters that finally worked perfectly the very first time ! They’re sleeping right now as it’s 4 a.m but they are going to be so excited tomorrow ! Thank you again !!

  2. Your children are adorable! I’m going to make this with my grandkids and daughter. My daughter is special needs and 21 but this is up her alley.
    I love the color of your new floor. It looks like natural wood. Thanks for the ideas and especially the organization tips you share. I’ve learned a few new tricks! 🙂

    1. Hope your daughter is doing well! I see a lot of special needs students at my school and always smile. I also help with special needs students.

    2. i love the slime i made it with my sister and made it the very next day love it

  3. Thank you for this recipe. Unfortunately I don’t have contact solution & it’s expensive (when you only need a Tablespoon &’won’t use it for anything else) so is there a substitute you can suggest?

      1. I found that the Walmart brand of contact lens solution (about $2-3) works great. Hopefully that helps!

    1. We bought 2 large bottles of contact solution that would last forever making slime at Wal-Mart for just under $5 it was the equate brand and works excellent for making slime.

  4. Hi Becky, can this be stored? How and how long for?

    Also, what is school glue? Clear liquid glue?
    Thanks!!

    1. Its is not where I live. If you get it at walmart it is 5-8 dollars. I’ve tried it with saline and it makes it hard to play with for my kids and it make it sticky.

    1. Just Regular water (then you’ll later add the tablespoons of borax water)

  5. Total success!! =)
    Contact multipurpose solution was under $3 at Walmart.
    Thank you for the recipe, my kids are loving it!!

  6. Hi in your ingrrdients it says hot water, how hot should the water be? Should it be boiled water or can i just take it from my sink?

    1. I just heated a glass of water for about a minute – not boiling, but definitely hot.

    1. We have… but be warned, it is super messy!! lol! I don’t mind a mess, so we’ve done it a few times. 🙂

  7. This is amazing slime!!! Can I substitute the activator for Tide laundry detergent? I’ve done it in the past, but not sure if it will mix ok with the shaving creme.

    1. I’m not sure- I’ve never tried that. Let me know if it works. 🙂

  8. We just made this and it’s amazing but ours don’t stretch at all. It’s more “crisp”. Anyone have any suggestions on what I done wrong? I figure I added to much of something or not enough, but I thought I followed the directions 🤷🏼‍♀️

    1. That happens if too much contact solution went in. :). Every little bit makes it stiffer (sometimes my kids add more to make it crisp like that. lol!)

  9. It came out really great! Unfortunately we added to much shaving cream,so it was all over our hands(and the counter) but it was easy to clean up and fun to make!