9 BENEFITS OF PLAYING WITH SLIME
As a parent, you probably love slime or hate it. Either way, we completely understand. But as big fans of sensory play, we can’t get enough of slime!
The unique texture and consistency of slime are very engaging for children (and even parents), which makes it perfect for sensory play. And if you’re wondering about that term, we recommend reading our post: “What is Sensory Play?”
You’ll be pleased to know that not only is slime fun and trendy, but slime also has several developmental benefits! Today, I’m going to outline each benefit of sensory play with slime, which will hopefully make you feel a little better about the mess. (And really, it doesn't have to be super messy!)
Here are the top benefits of playing with slime:
9 BENEFITS OF PLAYING WITH SLIME
Helps with attention, focus, & mindfulness.
It can be difficult to get your kids to slow down, be in the moment, and stay on one task for more than a few minutes.
Sensory play with slime activates all the senses and satisfies your child’s sensory needs, which can help with increasing attention span and overall focus.
The sensory experience is also great for promoting mindfulness. With all the texture, movement, and color, it’s hard for your child not to stay present and peaceful.
Develops fine motor skills.
Slime can be anything, and your child can do anything with it. They can roll it, stack it, squish it, and flatten it, which are all examples of fine motor skills in action.
The development of these fine motor skills helps with coordination and even the strength of those little hands, making this one of the biggest benefits of slime play!
Introduces science & math.
If you bring your child along for the slime-making process (and I recommend you do), then they can learn all about science and math too.
As they mix up the slime recipe, they’ll learn fractions, cause and effect, and even basic chemistry. It’s a fun way to teach your kids important skills that are sometimes thought of as boring!
Stimulates all the senses.
No matter what slime recipe you make, almost all of your child’s senses are stimulated. It’s not just a tactical sensory experience, because there is color, funny sounds, and even a distinct smell!
But wait, that was only 4 out of 5 senses. If you want to activate all 5, make a taste-safe slime that’ll fully satisfy all your child’s sensory needs. (More on that below!)
Boosts creativity.
Playing with slime definitely promotes creativity. The shapeless and moldable nature of slime allows your child of any age to have full creative control.
This creative expression can start when you’re making the slime. What colors will they add? Will there be glitter? What’s the consistency? There are SO MANY possibilities!
Once it’s made, your child can twist, mold, and shape their slime into whatever they want. It’s the perfect way to help your child practice using their imagination!
Encourages independent play.
No matter how much we love playing with our kids, we all want them to thrive during independent playtime.
However, some kids get really intimidated by certain toys when asked to play on their own for long periods of time, making them feel anxious and insecure.
Slime is the ideal tool to promote independent play because it can be used by anyone. There are no rules to slime and you can’t be “bad” at playing with slime, which is both freeing and confidence-boosting for your child!
Promotes calmness.
When other healthy regulating techniques don’t work, slime can have the same effect as a stress ball. It lowers stress levels and puts your child in a better position to self-soothe and calm their nervous system.
Supports problem-solving development.
Slime promotes problem-solving by giving your child the perfect space to let loose and explore.
They’ll ask themselves all sorts of questions about building and molding, and SO MUCH more. Your kids will naturally problem-solve without even realizing it!
Provides opportunity for quality family time.
Life is busy! But with children, we need to take advantage of every opportunity to establish an emotional connection. The good news? Everyone can enjoy slime—young children, teenagers, and even you as parents!
Sensory play is naturally appropriate for all age groups, so it’s a great way for your family to build relationships and foster a sense of safety. These are key elements for healthy childhood development!
Find more sensory play ideas for your family time in this post.
Top Mothercould Slime Recipes
Playing with slime supports your child’s cognitive development, motor skills, social needs, and mental health.
There are TONS of benefits to sensory play with slime. The next time you’re feeling a bit nervous about the time and mess, remember that sensory play at its core is simple. Keep it basic and know your children are gaining important life skills.
And while your child plays, you should let loose yourself too! The calming, stress-reducing benefits of playing with slime are good for moms as well!
Once sensory play becomes your and your family’s new favorite thing, be sure to access the Mothercould in Your Pocket resource that has all the sensory plans and guides you’ll ever need! Plus, I’ve got plenty on the blog too!
Whatever you do, just remember to have fun!