How to Make Borax Glue

White craft glue reacts chemically with borax to make slime.

Making borax glue is a great way to experience the scientific concepts of chemical reactions, compounds and polymers while making a delightfully disgusting tacky and stretchy play material. A polymer is a group of atoms, usually carbon, that are linked together in a long chain. The white school glue in this activity contains vinyl molecules that chemically react with the borate ions from the borax to form a new compound; a polymer "slime," for you to enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tablespoon borax
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup plain water
• 1 cup craft glue
• Food coloring (optional)
• Mixing vessel
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Pour the plain water and glue in the mixing vessel and mix thoroughly. Add food coloring to make the desired color.

2. Mix the borax into the distilled water. Add small portions of the borax solution to the glue-water mixture, very slowly. The borax will begin to form lumps in the mixture.

3. Gather the lumps and squeeze the excess water from them. Knead them together to form a more solid mass. Continue this process until there is no liquid glue left.

4. Place the kneaded lumps on wax paper to gel. Store in a plastic bag.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase borax at most grocery stores and department stores; check the laundry and cleaning supplies aisles. If the store does not carry borax, powdered hand soap (which contains borax) is an acceptable substitute. You can adjust the quantities of this project easily; the borax should always be a 4 percent solution and the water-glue mix should always contain equal parts glue and water. Use these guidelines to make more or less slime as necessary.

• This project can be messy; cover tables with plastic or newspaper and have clean-up supplies handy.

References

• Lousiana State University; Chemistry Department Outreach; Silly Putty
• McREL Products; Glue Polymer; Steve Jacobs Whelmer