I told you we were going to have a summer slime series and here is one of my favorite slime projects, magnetic slime!
For anyone with older (but not too old) kids, you know that making slime variations is where it’s at this summer.
This version is like a science experiment mixed with fun that the kids will be wild for.
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What Is Magnetic Slime
We made a batch of magnetic slime in my daughter’s classroom this year and all the kids had a chance to try it out.
The recipe is simple to create and the slime actually becomes magnetic – it is so cool!
It will connect to magnets, pick up paper clips and the kids had a blast seeing it stick to the metal bookcase and their desk legs at school.
Here are a few other fun slime projects we’ve been trying out:
How Does Magnetic Slime Work
Magnetic Slime works because of the individual nature of all three ingredients and how they relate and act towards each other.
When you mix the Saline Solution with the glue it pulls the strand of molecules in the glue out and binds them into longer chains which creates the slime effect of any slime recipe that our kids love so much.
So when you pull at the slime (pulling out one chain of molecules from the glue) you in effect are now pulling all the chains since they are now linked together as one slime blob of fun.
To make the magnetic slime we mix in the iron powder which attaches to the slime, but doesn’t fully become absorbed in it.
It’s like holding hands with someone, you are connected by could move closer or farther away at any time.
When you introduce one of the Neodymium Magnets the iron filings in the slime want to connect with the magnet so they try to pull away from the rest of the slime.
So envision holding hands with a friend and trying to pull away to go hug someone new, but since your hands are clasped you have to bring your friend along for the hug.
That is basically what is happening when you make magnetic slime.
Magnetic Slime Supply List
To make the magnetic slime recipe you will need:
- White Glue
- Saline solution
- Water
- Iron powder (we bought a bag from Amazon to make it easy)
- A bowl & stir stick
- Neodymium Magnets
How To Make Magnetic Slime
Step 1: Start by pouring 1/4 cup white school glue in a bowl.
The glue is the base for all magnetic slime projects and using regular white school glue for this project works the best.
Step 2: Add 1 TBSP saline solution and stir it together in the bowl.
Step 3: Add 2 TBSP of iron powder to the bowl and stir until well mixed. *Tip: Use a stir stick or gloves for this step in the process.
Step 4: Continue stirring until the slime is formed. Then pull out your magnets and get to the fun!
The slime is so interesting to watch as it holds metal and acts just like a magnet! If the kids have yet to try this slime recipe they will LOVE it.
For this and all our summer slime projects we are starting with the base of a slime recipe without borax, we use the glue + saline solution instead and it works great plus is safer for the kids.
You can see the base recipe right here to start your own slime summer camp of fun.
What kind of magnetic slime will you make today?
This one is such a fun idea and it will inspire play and learning side by side this summer… which besides a suntan is a huge goal I have with the twins this year.
(Photography ©A Subtle Revelry by Ashlyn Savannah Photo).
