Have you ever played with floam? It’s a slime-like substance which contains small polystyrene balls and you can mould it into shapes. Although lots of fun, the commercial version can be hard to find and a little on the expensive side. Not to worry however, as this easy floam slime recipe is just as fun and perfect for the slimers out there who love experimenting with different slime recipes.
The addition of the tiny polystyrene balls is what makes this floam slime so cool. It adds an additional lovely tactile element to slime time, as well as a cool popping sound when you play. We love how floam slime holds it’s shape when you press your hand or fingers into it.
This floam slime recipe is based on our easy fluffy slime. Be sure to read all of the instructions and suggestions below carefully before starting to ensure the best results.
But I hate my kids playing with slime!?!! I hear you! I know some of you don’t like your kids playing with slime at home – I’ve heard the stories of slime stuck in hair or the carpet! My suggestion is to have very clear, specific instructions about how, where and when your kids are allowed to make and play with slime, and for cleaning it up and storing it too. My girls know that they must ask first and that slime is only to be played with on our kitchen table or the outside table when the weather is nice. Slime is not allowed anywhere near the bedrooms (our carpeted areas) and is cleaned up and packed away as soon as you are finished, and stored in sealed, air tight containers when not in use.
We also especially recommend close adult supervision for younger kids playing with slime and would recommend that adults actually make the slime.
How to Make Floam Slime
Materials:
- 4oz. bottle of white school glue
- Food coloring
- Bag of small styrofoam beads
- ¼ tsp. baking soda/bi-carb soda
- Shaving cream
- Contact cleaning saline solution (containing boric acid)
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon for mixing
Instructions:
1. Pour a bottle of white school glue into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add ¼ of a teaspoon of baking soda to the mixing bowl.
3. Place a few drops of food coloring into the glue mixture, and stir to combine well.
4. Spray in as much shaving cream as you like. You can use as little or as much as you want to create a slime that is less or more fluffy. The more shaving cream you add, the fluffier your slime will be. Mix to combine the ingredients together.
5. Next add the contact lens cleaning saline solution. There is no measured amount for this, as results will vary based on the size of the glue container you used and the amount of shaving cream and coloring used.
Please don’t let young children handle Contact solution as it can cause diarrhoea if consumed.
Start with just a little of the saline solution and begin to mix it in thoroughly. Add a little more and mix, continue adding small amounts and combining until the slime mixture begins to stop sticking to the sides of the bowl. At that point, you can use your hands to continue mixing in more saline solution until the slime is a consistency you like, and no longer sticks to you fingers.
If you accidentally add too much saline solution and your slime becomes stiff or breaks apart, you can add a little more glue to loosen it back up.
6. Sprinkle some styrofoam beads into the slime mixture, and knead them into the slime with your hands. Again, if the slime becomes too stiff at this point, you can add in a little more glue. If it feels too goopy, you can add in more saline solution as needed.
Store your fluffy floam slime in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Ensure children wash their hands thoroughly after playing with any slime, especially before eating.
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
