Making slime with your child is a blast for everyone. Slime is AMAZING for sensory play, whether your child likes imagination-based slime time or hours of fidgeting fun. However, when it comes to slime, texture and consistency is everything. 

Not only can poor consistency make or break the functionality of the slime, but if your slime is too runny, the whole activity could end up being a big mess. (Yes, I’m talking about slime stuck in the carpet or your child’s blanket. No body likes that!)

Luckily, no matter what slime recipe you’re using, there are ways to thicken up that slime to make sure it works for any sensory activity! So, if you’ve gone through the recipe, kneaded the slime, and ended up with a runny mess, don’t worry. I can help you figure it out! In this guide, we will take a look at the reasons behind runny slime and how to restore it.

Here’s what you need to know:

How to Fix Slime That is Too Runny

Add more glue.

If your slime is too runny, it could be that there isn’t enough glue to create a stable texture. Adding more glue can help thicken it up. Start by just adding small amounts and mix well until you reach the consistency you are looking for! If you are making clear slime, make sure you use clear glue to keep the crystal clear look.

Add cornstarch or flour.

Cornstarch or flour can help absorb any excess liquid in your slime and thicken it. Start by adding a small amount and kneading it into the slime until you achieve the desired consistency. Depending on how runny your slime is, you could add as little as a pinch or as much as a couple of tablespoons.

Let it sit.

Sometimes, slime just needs some time to set and thicken on its own. Letting it sit on the bench for a while can help to improve the consistency. Let it sit for an hour or two and then get it out and knead it again. 

If your slime is still too runny, leave it for a little longer and come back to it.

Refrigerate it.

This step is much like the one above, but you place it in the refrigerator instead! Just put your slime in the fridge to let it firm up for an hour or two. If it is still runny after that time, leave it for a little while longer until it’s the texture you want or try something else on this list.

Add more borax solution or contact solution.

If you suspect that your slime hasn’t fully activated, you can try adding more activators. Whether you’ve used borax or contact solution, add more. This will prompt the chemical reaction that binds ingredients and thickens the slime.

However, be careful you don’t over-activate your slime. Add a small amount at a time, otherwise the slime may become too stiff or rubbery. 

Add shaving cream.

Shaving cream is like the holy grail for fixing slimes. It can help with sticky slime, runny slime, flat slime, and everything in between. Adding shaving cream to your slime can help bulk it up and make it thicker, creating a fun cloud slime.

Even if that’s not originally what you’re going for, the fluffy slime texture doesn’t disappoint! Start by adding small amounts of shaving cream first and mix it in until you achieve the desired consistency. 

Add baking soda.

Adding baking soda to your slime can thicken it and improve its texture greatly. This is especially good for clear slime since it won't make it opaque. Start by adding only a small pinch at a time and kneading thoroughly. 

Continue adding small amounts until you’re happy with your slime. 

Use a paper towel to clean up excess liquid.

If you have really watery slime, you can clean up excess liquid with paper towels. It can help remove any liquid and figure out your next step! Just bunch up a piece, and dab it on the slime or any puddles of watery liquid. Keep doing this until all the liquid is gone!

Don’t panic! We can fix runny slime!

Admit it, we’ve all had a slime fail or two! Truly, I believe a little failure or two can add to the fun, and even help your child's problem-solving skills! So, if you’re making slime and the texture doesn’t turn out right, take a deep breath, and try these solutions until you get the consistency you’re looking for.

For more awesome sensory play ideas, slime tips, parenting hacks, and much more, check out the Mothercould blog and the Mothercould In Your Pocket resource! I love helping people like you make parenting a fun experience with the best tips and tricks for sensory play, clean-up, mom hacks, and more.