I get asked this a lot – along with many of the other sensory activities I share and my answer is always the same NO! As long as you use safe/edible materials and supervise (as you always should with this age anyway!)Don't leave babies and toddlers out of the fun and learning opportunities just because they require closer supervision around this type of play! This recipe is made without glue/borax/ enter crazy ingredient here or any of those other strange ideas I’ve been reading about online. Leave on the bench to soak in the water overnight. The balls absorb the water, become nearly translucent and swell (so make sure you use a large bowl!) At first the mixture will look like a soft ball of play dough. This is fun on its own, as you can turn it into any shape you want. Much like my DIY Soap Play Dough Bars.

I've collected 5 of my absolute favourite DIY slime recipes in this post for you to try – these are the ones I have used over many years with my own children and also while working with babies and toddlers in both early learning centre and Family Day Care environments. They only require a few basic ingredients and the children can usually join in the process of making the slime as well. Sprinkle the powder across top of water and whisk or stir for around 2 minutes (the kids love doing this part so hand out those whisks!) PLEASE NOTE : Although I define these recipes as safe for use around young children there is always still a need for common sense and close supervision when offering these type of experiences to younger children – some are obviously better suited to toddlers who aren't at the mouthing stage but you know the developmental stages and capacities of your children the best so please modify according to individual needs.

You don't need to source numerous materials and follow complicated directions to make my 5 Easy Slime Recipes! I believe strongly as both a parent and early childhood educator that children should be offered access regularly to sensory play opportunitiesfrom a young age and fun with slime is an excellent example! Sensory play obviously doesn't alwaysneed to include messy play but it's certainly a bonus and can help with sensory processing as they grow – along with many other important learning and developmental outcomes. But isn't slime too dangerous for baby and toddler? For babies add balls of the slime to a tray placed on the ground so they can reach, grasp and squish. Adding to a fruit net bag and tying the end is also lots of sensory fun as the slime squirts through the holes as they grasp and release. Add dolls and dolly clothes along with a tub of water and use the soap slime to shampoo dolly's hair and wash clothes. Make sure to rinse and provide pegs and a low line so they can hang up their washing to dry.

Add your tbsp of Metamucil to your bowlAdd a few drops of colour or 1/4 teaspoon of edicol dye if you want colour slime Provide a basket of plastic cups, jugs and spoons for children to fill with frothy concoctions. I have set up a ‘coffee shop' dramatic play area outdoors before(for 2 years up) using this frothy slime. To say that I’m a little late to the DIY Slime party is quite the understatement. But here it is: my recipe for DIY Slime with Bubble Bath!Provide muffin trays, spoons, cups and other real kitchen items for children to use and explore with the slime.

Add balls of different sizes to the slime tray or tub for rolling and making patterns with. Add spoons to turn into a scooping game. Pour into a few different trays placed on the grass and help older babies and toddlers walk through the slime or go stomping in slimy puddles!Simply spread out on a table and invite those little fingers to get busy squelching, pouring, fingerpainting, cooking, drawing patterns and so much more. This safe slime recipe is made using simple ingredients. The only “non-natural” ingredient in this tutorial is the bubble bath, but you can customize and choose whatever brand you like. You really don't need precise measurements for this one – I don't think I have ever measured the powder out, it's all about trial and error and how much you want to make. But you can start with these measurements and modify from there for a large tub. Collect all the bikes and cars to setup a large carwash station using the foamy slime and big sponges to wash. Hose everyone off afterwards – lots of fun on a hot day. I created this slime recipe after using the sago as a safe sensory alternative to water beads with younger children (Water beads are quite the choking hazard!) With the addition of a little cellmix it turned into a wonderful bumpy, mouldable slime.