I love setting up fun little play-scapes for Noah. At four and a half he is just bursting with subjects that he is interested in and it’s easy to grab one of those ideas and create an invitation for independent play. But as much as I love it, I don’t want to spend hours setting up elaborate activities, they need to be quick and easy!
This fun dino slime invitation to play was quick and easy to set up using a big mixing bowl!
To make your own dino slime you’ll need:
- A large mixing bowl or container
- 2 cups corn flour (corn starch)
- 1 cup of cheap shampoo
- A few drops of green food colouring if you like
- Dinosaurs, foliage (we used mint sprigs), rocks, pine cones or any other accessories you like
Mix the corn flour, shampoo and food coloring together in the mixing bowl until it comes together to form a paste like consistency. It should be firm enough to pick up lumps with your hands, but soft enough to slide through your fingers when held up. Add a little more corn flour or shampoo till you get the slimy consistency you are looking for.
Set up a little play-scape with the dinosaurs, some leaves and other natural materials and let your child explore. Don’t forget a smock or apron and have a damp washer near by for wiping slimy fingers.
The slime should keep well in a covered container for a few days. It’s not a great idea to wash the corn flour down the drain so when you are done let it dry out and then put it in the rubbish.
I had intended to make this silky stretch corn flour and condition play dough for our slime, but when I went to mix it up I realised that I had bought shampoo instead of conditioner!
Instead of giving up, Noah and I decided to see what would happen if we mixed the corn flour (corn starch) and shampoo together. What we got was a sticky, goopy, stretchy concoction that was a little like goop but softer and more dough like.
If you don’t have the ingredients for this goopy slime, or you are not up for that much mess you could try these alternatives.
Somewhat difficult/messy :
A little bit difficult/messy:
-
Coloured rice
Bubble Foam
Play dough – find loads of great recipes in The Homemade Play Dough Recipe book (affiliate link)
Not very difficult/messy:
-
Water – just a centimetre or two in the bottom of the bowl is all you need, add food colouring if you want.
Water beads
What are your little ones interested in right now?
Dinos? Trains? Water? Or some other super cool thing?
Laughed when I logged on as we made gooey slime today. Guess where I got the recipe? Miss 2 loved it but it went down a treat when Mr 7 and Mr 5 got home from school. Mr 5 lasted the longest at it, he was in slime heaven
I love it when my big kids come home from school and has as much fun or more with the activity than the four year old did!
Love It! Reminds me of the con-conctions LO has been making lately. We have started an old tradition up again ‘Science Saturdays’ –pretty much pick 2-3 items, measurement tools & anything goes! I have NOT thought of Shampoo yet; we will this weekend. Thanks Kate, we appreciate all your ideas.
That’s a great idea! My four year old is always asking to do ‘speriments’ so he’d love a little dedicated science play!
Oo! I’ll have to make some of this!!
We’re currently VERY in to shaving cream. The cheapest stuff you can get in a can. Grab that, a few bowls, a few drops of food colouring, some water (bowl or squirt bottle… we use an old ketchup bottle), and some THICK paintbrushes… it’s been TONS of fun outside!
of course! Shaving cream! I knew I left something awesome off my list of alternatives! That would make awesome slime!
Made Dino Slime. LOVED IT.
Made it a bit more solid than slimy since my little has issues with really slimy sticky things on his hands, but it was so much fun! It’s starting to dry out, but we’ll experiment tomorrow adding a little water to it to see what happens!
Love this idea! My youngest loves dinosaurs so will have to give it a go tomorrow when she’s home from preschool and wanting something fun to do! ;)
ok my first try the ratios are not working out at all. need lots more shampoo.