One of the things I love to do with this blog is to use my science background (I have an M. Ed in science education and used to be a middle and high school science teacher) to create new play recipes that are safe - and if possible, that are edible (I love the idea of creating sensory play that is great for all ages so that babies and toddlers can join their siblings in play without having to miss out on the fun).  So far I've developed a Safe/Edible Glow Water, and Edible Mini Water Beads (with no choking hazard!), and an Edible Pretend (Melting!) Ice Cream Dough.  We love to play with slime and gak around here and one of my toughest recipes to develop was this one - a totally edible and chemical/borax free slime.  It's no cook, super easy, and takes less than five minutes from start to finish!  I'm super proud of it (and spent many hours experimenting in our kitchen to get here) and I hope you all love it as much as we do!

Like any great slime it's suuuuper stretchy!

 It oooooooozes.

 You can grab it with two hands and just pick it right up off a table.

It feels so soft and slightly cool (in that way that slime always does)...sometimes you just gotta wrap your entire forearm in it.

 As S will tell you, it always helps to make crazy faces when you're playing with slime.  :)

So so so fun!

For the first time ever, X was able to touch our slime (here he's just over a year - at that age I still didn't trust him not to taste, so he had to sit out during former slime plays).  He had a great time poking it with his fingers then slowwwwly lifting them up and watching the slime fall over and over.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Are you ready to make your own?  Awesome.  You will need:

This basil seed (which we also use to make our Edible Mini Water Beads)

Cornstarch (or cornflour if you are in the UK)

Water

Food coloring (optional - we used Neon Green here)

Measure 1/4 cup of basil seeds into a bowl and add one full 16oz box of cornstarch (cornflour).  Mix them together (kid hands are really good at this part).  Add food coloring (if desired) to 2.5 cups of water.  Add the water to your cornstarch and seed mixture and stir well.  I find that it's easiest to do this part with my hands.  You will ultimately end up kneading the slime like bread dough as over the span of 5 minutes, the seeds will begin to absorb the water and it will begin to thicken the mixture.  If you find any clumps of seeds while kneading, break them up with your fingers.  Once the slime is completely uniform feeling - you're good to go!

Where do you find Basil Seeds:

The best place to find basil seeds is in an Asian or International Specialty Food Store:  Our local Asian Specialty stores all carry bags for $1 and they are in the spices section
Here is a listing on US Amazon
Here is a listing on Amazon CA
Here is a listing on Amazon UK
Here is a listing for Australia
The above links are by no means exhaustive - feel free to Google around yourself.  Any online spice specialty store is likely to carry these!  :)

When you're done playing with your slime, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.  Ours lasted for a little over a week.  You may find that you need to knead your Edible Slime briefly before play each time to break up any clumps that may have formed.

UPDATE:  We have created a new slime recipe for those of you who can't find Basil Seeds where you live.  The new slime will work with chia or flax seeds and if all else fails can be made seedless as well.  Click here if you need an alternate No-Cook Edible Slime recipe.

Click the photo below to buy it on Amazon or click here to read more about our book!

Follow along with Fun at Home with Kids on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest or Subscribe by Email or Bloglovin'!

All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children.  As your child's parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family.  I always encourage contacting your child's pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies).  Observe caution and safety at all times.  The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.