3 Ways To Make Silly Putty - WikiHow

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• Putty Dough and Slime

How to Make Silly Putty Download Article Co-authored by Amber Crain Reviewed by Summer Ames

Last Updated: November 16, 2025

Download Article

• Using Glue and Borax
|
• Using Glue and Liquid Starch
|
• Using Cornstarch and Dish Soap
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was reviewed by Summer Ames and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Summer Ames is a slime expert and the founder of Slime Community based in Charleston County, South Carolina. Summer patented the Slime Baking Kit, which is a nonedible sensory kit made with slime-making ingredients that look exactly like real baking components. Her slime kits are made with premium non-toxic ingredients, including skin-safe fragrance oils, food-grade dye, and non-toxic glue and clay. With a combined 345K followers across her social media channels, Summer has been able to share the joy of slime and build an online community. This article has been viewed 2,018,969 times.

Silly putty is a gooey, stretchy, bouncy substance that’s fun for all ages. It was accidentally invented during World War II, when a chemist was trying to create a synthetic substitute for rubber, and it’s been delighting kids and adults ever since! If you want to play with silly putty but you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry, because it’s easy to make at home! The glue and borax method will produce putty most like the commercial product, but the other ways of making putty are fun to play with as well.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Using Glue and Borax

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1. 1 Squeeze a small bottle of clear or white glue into a bowl. Purchase a 4-ounce (118-milliliter) bottle of clear school glue. Open up the cap, and squeeze everything into a bowl. Make sure that you use the basic, all-purpose kind of school glue and not the "washable" kind.[1] The washable kind of school glue does not work as well.[2]
   • For more interesting silly putty, get the kind of glue that already has glitter and color mixed into it.[3]
   • For opaque silly putty, use regular white glue and for a clear silly putty use white glue.
2. 2 Add some color and glitter, if desired. Squeeze in a few drops of food coloring. Next, add in a few spoonfuls of extra-fine glitter. Stir everything together until the color is even and the glitter is spread evenly throughout.
   • Skip this step if your glue already has color and glitter in it.
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3. 3 Stir ½ cup (120 milliliters) of water into the glue. Keep stirring until the glue and water are completely mixed together.[4] Set the bowl aside when you are done.
4. 4 Mix some borax with warm water. Pour ½ cup (120 milliliters) of warm water into a cup. Add 1 teaspoon of borax. Stir the two together until the borax has dissolved.[5]
   • If you are a child, have an adult supervise you.
5. 5 Stir the borax water into the glue water. Keep stirring the two together again until the glue starts to turn into gel.[6] You will have a clump of gel in your bowl, with some water, glitter, and color around it.[7]
6. 6 Knead the putty. Pick up the glob of gel from the bowl. Knead and squish it with your fingers for about 5 to 10 minutes. There may still be some water and glue in the bowl, which is fine. The borax will have picked up as much glue as it could have.[8]
   • If you have sensitive skin, it may be a good idea to put on a pair of plastic gloves during this step.
7. 7 Play with the silly putty. You can stretch it, bounce it, and pull it apart. When you are done playing with it, put it into a plastic, resalable container, such as a lidded box or a zippered bag. When you take it out again, you may need to knead it again for another 5 to 10 minutes.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Using Glue and Liquid Starch

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1. 1 Pour 1 bottle of clear or white glue into a bowl. Purchase a 5-ounce (147-milliliter) bottle of glue. Unscrew the cap and pour the glue into a mixing bowl.
   • For interesting silly putty, use the type of school glue that already has glitter in it.
   • For opaque silly putty, use white glue and for a clear silly putty use clear glue.
2. 2 Add a few drops of liquid watercolor or food coloring. This will give your silly putty extra color. Stir in a few drops, then add more if you want a deeper or darker color. If your glue already has color and glitter in it, skip this step.
3. 3 Add in some glitter, if desired. How much glitter you add is entirely up to you. For best results, use the extra-fine scrapbooking glitter, and not the chunky craft kind. If your glue already has glitter in it, skip this step.
   • For metallic putty, try mica powder instead.
4. 4 Stir everything together. Keep stirring until the color is even and the glitter is spread throughout the glue. You can do this step with a spoon, fork, or even a popsicle stick.
5. 5 Stir in some liquid starch a little bit at a time. Pour in a small amount of liquid starch, then give the mixture a stir. Keep adding starch and stirring until the glue and starch comes together and forms a putty.
   • Plan on using ½ to ¾ cup (120 to 180 milliliters) total.
   • Avoid using too much starch, or the silly putty will turn hard.
6. 6 Knead the putty together. At one point, the putty will clump together and become difficult to stir. Once that happens, take the lump of putty out of the bowl and knead it until it turns firm. There may be some liquid left in the bowl, which is fine.
7. 7 Play with the putty. Silly putty is similar to slime or Gak, except that it is more firm. You can stretch it and bounce it. When you are done playing with it, put it into a plastic, zippered bag. You can also use a plastic box with a tight-fitting lid.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Using Cornstarch and Dish Soap

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1. 1 Pour ½ cup (120 milliliters) of dish soap into a bowl. Your silly putty will turn the same color as the dish soap that you are using. If you want a certain color, stir in a few drops of food coloring into clear dish soap.[9]
2. 2 Add some glitter, if desired. How much glitter you use is up to you. A few spoonfuls should do. Try to use the extra-fine glitter rather than the chunky kind. It will make your putty look more like the store-bought kind![10]
3. 3 Mix in 1 cup (125 grams) of cornstarch. Stir everything together with a spoon, then switch to using your hands. At first, you will get a crumbly mixture, but then it will turn into a gel the more you work with it.[11] Don't worry if there is some corn starch or dish soap at the bottom of the bowl.[12]
   • If it is very dry in your home, you may need to add more dish soap.
   • If you can't find cornstarch, look for cornflour (not cornmeal).
4. 4 Knead the mixture until the silly putty comes together. It will be sticky and gooey. You may have some liquid left at the bottom of the bowl, which is normal.
5. 5 Play with the putty. You can stretch it, ball it up, and bounce it. When you don't want to play with it any more, put it into a plastic, zippered baggie. You can also use a plastic box with a lid instead.
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Community Q&A

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• Question Is this non-toxic? Community Answer No, it is toxic. There are alternate methods without any of the harmful ingredients, such as detergent and borax. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 29 Helpful 53
• Question Can I use baking soda instead of borax? Community Answer Yes, you can use it to make silly putty. But you need to use a different method to use baking soda as an ingredient. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 31 Helpful 49
• Question Can I use any kind of glue in the baby powder slime? Community Answer It is suggested to use the normal white glue, instead of the clear glue. It will have better consistency. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 28

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Tips

• All-purpose school glue seems to work better than the washable kind.[13] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Not all brands of liquid starch are created equal. Some work better than others. For example, Sta-Flo works better than Niagra.[14] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If the putty is watery, add more of the dry ingredients. Add more wet ingredients if you want your putty to be wetter and slimier. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• For kid-friendly alternatives to Borax, you can add Dawn dish soap to corn starch.
• Always wash your hands before and after playing with your slime.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• If you have sensitive skin, wear plastic gloves when making the borax and glue putty. Thanks Helpful 50 Not Helpful 17
• Keep the putty away from cloth and fabric surfaces. It can get stuck and become difficult to remove. Thanks Helpful 45 Not Helpful 17
• Keep the putty away from younger children and pets. It can be dangerous if swallowed. Keep the number for your local poison control center handy in case of ingestion. Thanks Helpful 36 Not Helpful 22
• Food coloring can stain, so be sure to wear old clothes and to cover your counter. If you get silly putty on your clothes, see How to Get Silly Putty Out of Clothes for advice on getting it off. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 4
• Borax can be dangerous if not properly diluted, and extended contact can lead to burns. Thanks Helpful 51 Not Helpful 22

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Things You'll Need

Using Glue and Liquid Starch

* 1 5-ounce (147-milliliter) bottle of clear school glue

• ½ to ¾ cup (120 to 180 milliliters) liquid starch
• Liquid watercolor or food coloring (optional)
• Extra-fine glitter (optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon, fork, or popsicle stick
• Plastic zippered baggie

Using Glue and Borax

• 1 4-ounce (118-milliliter) bottle of school glue
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) water
• 1 teaspoon borax
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) warm water
• Liquid watercolor or food coloring (optional)
• Extra-fine glitter (optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon, fork, or popsicle stick
• Plastic zippered baggie

Using Glue and Laundry Detergent

• 8 ounces (240 milliliters) school glue
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) laundry detergent
• Liquid watercolor or food coloring (optional)
• Extra-fine glitter (optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon, fork, or popsicle stick
• Plastic zippered baggie

Using Cornstarch and Dish Soap

• 1 cup (125 grams) of cornstarch
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) dish soap
• Liquid watercolor or food coloring (optional)
• Extra-fine glitter (optional)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon, fork, or popsicle stick
• Plastic zippered baggie

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References

1. ↑ Summer Ames. Slime Expert. Expert Interview
2. ↑ http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/07/how-to-make-silly-putty.html
3. ↑ Summer Ames. Slime Expert. Expert Interview
4. ↑ Summer Ames. Slime Expert. Expert Interview
5. ↑ http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/07/how-to-make-silly-putty.html
6. ↑ Summer Ames. Slime Expert. Expert Interview
7. ↑ http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/07/how-to-make-silly-putty.html
8. ↑ http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/07/how-to-make-silly-putty.html
9. ↑ http://livingwellmom.com/2016/07/diy-silly-putty/

More References (5)

10. ↑ Summer Ames. Slime Expert. Expert Interview
11. ↑ Summer Ames. Slime Expert. Expert Interview
12. ↑ http://livingwellmom.com/2016/07/diy-silly-putty/
13. ↑ http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/07/how-to-make-silly-putty.html
14. ↑ http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemade-silly-putty

About This Article

Reviewed by: Summer Ames Slime Expert This article was reviewed by Summer Ames and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Summer Ames is a slime expert and the founder of Slime Community based in Charleston County, South Carolina. Summer patented the Slime Baking Kit, which is a nonedible sensory kit made with slime-making ingredients that look exactly like real baking components. Her slime kits are made with premium non-toxic ingredients, including skin-safe fragrance oils, food-grade dye, and non-toxic glue and clay. With a combined 345K followers across her social media channels, Summer has been able to share the joy of slime and build an online community. This article has been viewed 2,018,969 times. 18 votes - 68% Co-authors: 262 Updated: November 16, 2025 Views: 2,018,969 Categories: Featured Articles | Putty Dough and Slime Article SummaryX

To make silly putty, pour 8 oz (240ml) of all-purpose school glue into a bowl. If you like, add a few drops of food coloring or glitter to the glue. Then add 1/4 cup (60ml) of liquid laundry detergent to the bowl. Keep stirring until the glue starts to ball up and harden. Then, knead the mixture with your hands until it turns into putty. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Nancy Meadows

  Mar 5, 2017

  "We tried the laundry soap recipe 4 times, using both powder and liquid soaps. It never worked! Our favorite was the..." more

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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Summer Ames Slime Expert 18 votes - 68% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 262 Updated: November 16, 2025 Views: 2,018,969

Nancy Meadows

Mar 5, 2017

"We tried the laundry soap recipe 4 times, using both powder and liquid soaps. It never worked! Our favorite was the..." more

Anonymous

Oct 17, 2017

"When I firstly tried to make slime I failed, but when I was here I successfully made my first slime. I'm like..." more

Talha Timol

Dec 10, 2022

"It enlightens the mind and brilliance to experiment and explore fun and interesting things to entertain you and..." more

Anonymous

Dec 20, 2016

"This method is the most foolproof and easy to make. It doesn't have a slime consistency at first, but if you..." more

Danae Jester

Jan 7, 2017

"This article let me know the materials that were needed and how much to put in so our slime would be just right." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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