Homemade Slime

Pour the cornstarch into the bowl. Slowly add 1/2 cup of water, mixing with your fingers as you go. To make the mixture slimier, add a bit more water.

To give your mixture true slime appeal, add a few drops of green food coloring.

Have your child pick up the slime in his or her hands and perform the following tasks. Record what happens after you complete each task.

• Squeeze the slime.
• Shape it into a ball.  
• After shaping it into a ball, open your hand.  
• Bang on it with a spoon.  
• Pour it from one bowl to another.  
• Turn the bowl upside-down over a sink.  

Discuss with your child the difference between solids (e.g., rock, chair, apple) and liquids (e.g., water, milk, soda). Note that solids do not change their shape, but liquids do. Then ask the following questions. Help your child answer them by reviewing what he or she learned when playing with the slime.

• How is slime like a solid? (Sometimes it can be as hard as a rock.) 
• How is slime like a liquid? (It pours; it changes shape.)