Make mud slime
Make mud slime using safe household ingredients like cornstarch, water, washable glue, and clean garden soil; explore texture, mixing ratios, and sensory play.
Step-by-step guide to make mud slime
Step 1
Gather all your materials and put them on a clean table so everything is ready to go.
Step 2
Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them so your slime stays clean.
Step 3
Sift the clean garden soil with your fingers or a small strainer to remove sticks and pebbles.
Step 4
Measure 1 cup of cornstarch and pour it into the mixing bowl.
Step 5
Pour 1/4 cup of washable glue into the cornstarch bowl.
Step 6
Slowly add 1/4 cup of water to the bowl so the mixture starts to come together.
Step 7
Stir the mixture with your spoon or spatula until it looks smooth and even.
Step 8
Add 2 tablespoons of the sifted garden soil to the bowl to give your slime that muddy color and texture.
Step 9
Stir the soil in until the color and texture look the same all through the mixture.
Step 10
Press a small piece between your fingers and let it flow for ten seconds to test the texture.
Step 11
If the slime feels too thick add 1 tablespoon of water and mix it in.
Step 12
If the slime feels too runny add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and mix it in.
Step 13
Squish stretch and make shapes with your mud slime to explore how the texture changes when you play.
Step 14
Put your finished mud slime into a sealed container for storage and tidy the table with paper towels.
Step 15
Share a photo or story of your finished mud slime on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have washable glue or can't collect garden soil?
If you don't have washable glue use regular white PVA school glue or clear craft glue, and if you can't collect garden soil substitute clean potting soil or 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder for color knowing the texture will be different from the sifted garden soil called for in the instructions.
My slime is lumpy or won't come together—what should I check and fix?
First make sure you sifted the garden soil to remove sticks and pebbles, then adjust the texture by following the testing step: add 1 tablespoon of water if the slime feels too thick or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch if it feels too runny.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For preschoolers pre-sift the soil and pre-measure the 1 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup glue, and 1/4 cup water so they can safely stir and squish under supervision, while older kids can experiment by adding extra tablespoons of sifted garden soil or changing the water/cornstarch by 1 tablespoon to explore texture changes.
How can we extend or personalize the mud slime once it's made?
After you squish, stretch, and make shapes, personalize by mixing in small plastic toy animals or extra sifted soil for chunkier texture, decorate and label the sealed container for storage, and then share a photo or story on DIY.org as the instructions suggest.
Watch videos on how to make mud slime
HOW TO MAKE SLIME! 💦 *EASY Slime Tutorial* With Ingredients at Home! ✨ Updated 2025
3 Videos
HOW TO MAKE SLIME! 💦 *EASY Slime Tutorial* With Ingredients at Home! ✨ Updated 2025
Making Slime With HOUSEHOLD INGREDIENTS Only! 😱🧴🧼 *How to Make Slime at Home*
How to Make Easy Slime At Home | Kids Making Slime At Home (Only Two Ingredients)
Facts about sensory play and homemade slime
⚖️ Small changes in ingredient ratios (more cornstarch, more water, or more glue) create big differences in how mud slime feels—runny, gooey, or crumbly.
🌽 Cornstarch mixed with water makes a classic kid-science goo called oobleck that acts like a solid when you punch it and like a liquid when you pour it.
🪱 Garden soil is full of tiny living creatures and nutrients—always use clean, pesticide-free soil for sensory play to stay safe.
🧴 Most washable white glues are made from polyvinyl acetate (PVA), a safe polymer that helps homemade slime stick together.
🖐️ Squishing and stretching mud slime is great sensory play: it helps develop fine motor skills, hand strength, and curiosity about textures.
How do I make mud slime at home?
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