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• Daniela Kretchmer
• Updated: Sep 2, 2024
• Borax, Popular Posts, Slime

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This quick and easy slime activator takes less than a minute to make! Learn how to make your own so you can start making your own DIY slimes in no time at all!

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If you want to make slime, you’re going to need a slime activator. This is what the makes the slime… well, slime. Most slimes, other than edible slime, require an activator to take all the ingredients and make them into the stretchy and gooey material you know and love as slime. Then you can make all types, including the classic green slime, see through crystal clear slime, this gorgeous gold slime, or unique color changing slime, cloud slime, snow slime, and fluffy slime.

You can either buy an activator for slime or make your own. And the good news, is making your own is incredibly easy and only requires two ingredients.

I’ve also created this set of printable slime recipe cards so you can easily make all types of slime! You can also download them from the shop.

14+ Slime Recipe Cards - Printable PDF

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What is Slime Activator?

Slime activator is a liquid solution that you mix into glue or other slime bases to make it into slime. The activator reacts with the ingredients to make it all stretchy and slimy.

Typically when you make slime, you use glue. The reason for this is because basic glue is made out of PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol), hence the common name of PVA glue. It’s the PVA that is actually the key to making slime, but PVA alone won’t make slime. PVA is simply a solution – you need something to create to it in order to form the bonds to make a stretchy slime.

This is where a the activator for slime comes in. It reacts with the PVA within glue to make slime.

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The Science Behind Slime Activators

In case you’re curious, chemically what’s happening is cross-bonds are forming within the PVA when the borax is added. And even more scientifically speaking, it’s the boron within Borax that’s causing the reaction. Therefore different amounts of borax within an activator or the different fillers will create slightly different reactions.

Didn’t think you were going to get a science lesson, did you? But actually knowing the science behind slime making or any craft really, helps you choose the best supplies and make the best project.

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Different Types of Slime Activators

There are different types of activators for slime that you can buy or make yourself. The type of activator for slime you use will determine the final look and feel of the slime. This is because different activators have different ingredients within them.

Common ones you can use include different solutions such as contact lens solution, borax solutions, laundry detergent, fabric softener, liquid starch, or products specifically called “slime activator.” All of these contain ingredients that contain the element, boron. Therefore when choosing your activator or making one at home, be on the lookout for ingredients starting with “bor,” such as boric acid, sodium borate, or borax.

The best slime activator recipe I’m showing you today, however, is certainly my favorite and the easiest and uses borax.

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Where to Buy Slime Activator

If you don’t want to make your own, you can buy them either online, at the grocery store, or craft store, depending on the type you’re looking for. Here’s a list of places that sell different types:

• Amazon – they’ll have everything from the product itself to different types of cleaning items

Then these craft stores have “official” ones such as Elmer’s Magical Liquid Slime Activator and Scented ones, and the Nickelodeon Slime Activator.

• Michael’s
• Blick Art Materials
• Joann’s

The Best Slime Activator Recipe

Pin it to save it for later! Use it in all of my slime recipes on the blog and with the printable slime recipe cards.

This recipe will be enough to make several slimes – I was able to get 4 out of it, but it depends how much you use for each.

• 1 Cup Water
• 1 tsp Borax (Amazon)

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To me, it’s kind of the rule to have the ridiculously large box of borax so I’ve linked to the one I personally use. However, I totally get if you don’t want this massive thing so I’ve also linked to a small bag if you don’t plan to make much slime. Fun fact, borax can actually be used in a bunch of different crafts. In fact, have a whole section on borax crafts!

Borax 20 Mule Team Detergent Booster, 65 Oz Pure Original Ingredients Borax (4 oz) Sodium Borate, Multipurpose Cleaning Agent, Ideal Slime Ingredient