Slime Recipe: How to Make Fake Snot

Mans hand with slime on black background

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by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated May 06, 2019

This is a gooey, gross variation of the traditional slime recipe, great for Halloween and other occasions requiring snot. It only takes a few minutes to make fake snot and the difficulty is not too great.

Materials for Fake Snot

  • Borax Powder
  • Elmer's Glue
  • Water
  • Food Coloring
  • Measuring Cups
  • Baggies or Bowls

Directions

  1. Stir 1/8 cup borax into 500 ml warm water. It's okay if some borax remains undissolved. Allow the solution to cool to room temperature.
  2. In a separate container, stir 2 spoonfuls of glue into 3 spoonfuls of water. White glue will give you opaque snot (more booger than snot); glue gel will produce you translucent slimy snot.
  3. Stir a couple of drops of food coloring into the glue mixture.
  4. Add a spoonful of the borax solution to the glue mixture. Stir (if in a bowl) or squish (if in a baggie).
  5. Have fun with your snot!

Useful Tips

  • Elmer's glue is a non-toxic, water-based white glue or a non-toxic blue or clear gel. Another brand may be substituted.
  • A little yellow food coloring could be added for that extra sickly touch.
  • Don't eat or inhale the snot. Borax isn't particularly toxic but isn't good for you either.
  • Borax is found in the household cleaner or laundry section of the store. It's commonly used as a detergent booster.
  • Wash your hands after playing with your snot.