With a vast number of Instagram posts labelled #slime and an unending number of YouTube instructional videos on how to make your slime, there is, by all means, something unique about slime.

Besides being eye candy, slime offers many surprising benefits and is becoming super popular among various age groups.

So, what are these benefits?

Playing with slime helps improve mental health and is known to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. It also increases concentration power.

Let's see what else you need to know about this pretty plaything.

What are slimes?

Slime is known as a non-Newtonian liquid. It is neither solid nor fluid. It gets its properties from polymers.

Getting into a bit of history, the story of slime dates back to the 20th century when in 1976, a toy-maker named Mattel invented it.

At first, slime was this simple greenish-looking substance, but the world didn't know about the surprises it bought.

On this note, want to know another benefit?

This one is a bonus for all the parents; slime is a productive alternative to screen time which has become the unhealthiest obsession of kids.

"Slime is just a kid's toy"- a standard and utterly wrong misconception.

The most important thing to understand about slime is that it's not just a toy that kids play with. A person can be 10 or 70 and still enjoy some slime time.

How are slimes made?

Aussie Slime Co's slime base is made with two key ingredients- Elmer’s glue and slime activator. After that, Countless add-ons such as bingsu beads, charms, and more can be added to the mixture to prepare many different slime textures.

Typically, while making slime, the usage of glue is compulsory. This is because the glue is key to binding all particles together.

But, glue alone won't do the work. This is where the slime activator steps in.

So, what is a slime activator?

A slime activator is a liquid solution that you mix with the key slime ingredient of the recipe- glue. When combined with glue, the activator reacts, making the mixture stretchy and slimy.

The key to activating slime is the use of borax. It is a simple recipe; you need borax and water to start.

Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add borax; keep mixing the water with borax until it is completely dissolved and ready to use.

After getting glue and slime activator ready:

Now, put glue in a bowl according to your needed measures.

After that, add a few spoons of the prepared slime activator and mix it consistently.

And, your slime is ready for add-ons. You can mix several add-ons that enhance the look and feel of the texture.

What are the benefits of using slime?

In this fast-moving world, anxiety, tiredness and stress have also become the character traits seen in almost every person.

With new ways of life, people also started finding new ways to cope with negative feelings. Slime became one of those coping mechanisms.

Following are some of the slime benefits that you'll be amazed to know-

1. Slime helps in Motor skills improvement

Slime is a sensory toy that can help develop fine motor skills.

Fine motor skills are the coordination of muscles and hands as well as the movement of the eyes. If these skills improve, intelligence increases.

Playing with slime requires flexibility of hand and muscles and a creative approach to things. Thus, increasing hand-eye-muscle coordination as well.

2. Slime is nerve-calming

Stress is a given, whether you're battling to adapt to pressure at work or assisting your kid in completing school homework.

Stress balls are well known among grown-ups and kids, and slime can work the same way.

Squishing and stretching slime, moulding it into shapes, and listening to the sounds that come when you play with it.

Everything stated above helps remove stress- just like when you burst the bubbles that come with bubble wrap.

There are many anti-stress slimes available.

3. Slime helps promote mindful behaviour

Being present in the moment is hard for kids. They have a small puppy's attention span of fewer than 15 seconds.

Combined with so many distractions, it makes the attentiveness even shorter. Whereas playing with slime encourages being attentive and present at the moment, thus, slime promotes mindful behaviour.

It is compelling when parents and educators present an activity like slime making.

What are the applications of slime?

Crunching slime between the fingers is an excellent method for easing pressure— many individuals find it amusing as it is stretchable.

The most fun part of slime is that with numerous benefits, it is also highly flexible to play with!

As stretchy and flexible slime is, it can be used to make different kinds of playing material.

Following are some of the fun applications of slime-

1. Pop-it fidget toys

Pop its fidget toys are a variety of sensory toys made out of the slime.

These toys are handcrafted to provide a mesmerising ASMR experience. The best part about Pop its toys is that they can have wide varieties, each different from the first and still be exciting and satisfying.

There are several benefits of playing with fidget toys for kids.

They are good for increasing concentration and focus; they also promote happy behaviour.

2. Squishy toys

As the name suggests, squishy toys are best used for squishing and crackling between hands.

Like stress balls, squishy toys provide precisely the same benefits- ASMR Delights, help fight anxiety and stressful situations, and are affordable alternatives for a great experience.

The best part about these toys is- they come in so many different shapes like fruit-shaped, animal-shaped, food-shaped etc. The vivid colours make the whole experience more fun.

3. 3D toys

3D toy is yet another application of slime. Playing with this toy helps refine fine motor skills and improves the child's focus over time.

Again adhering to the best characteristic, many variations of 3D toys are made out of the slime. Like 3D Changeable Cubes, 3D Burger, 3D Lobster, 3D football etc.

This is an exclusive and exciting concept that everyone should get to play with at least once.

How many types of slimes are there?

There are countless variations of slime textures, and each texture serves many similar benefits.

Following are some of the most popular types of slimes that are present in the market-

Thick & Glossy Slime

The thick and glossy texture is known as a work of art. It's well known because it's perfect for jabbing and getting that "thwock" ASMR sound.

This texture is very thick and one of the original DIY slimes. The poke-worthiness of this slime, too, helps in relieving stress.

Besides that, thick and glossy slime helps improve muscle movement skills.

Clear Slime

Clear slime is poke-worthy, stretchy, and consistently made with transparent glue.

The idea behind the crystal clear slime is that while preparing it, cleanliness should be the priority so that it turns out to be as transparent looking as possible.

There are various benefits of clear slime: the slime is best for giant bubbles and, thus, big pops.

Like bubble wrap is obsessive once you start doing it, the same happens when playing with this slime. This, in turn, provides stress relief and relaxation.

One of the best slimes available.

Cloud Slime

Super-stretchy, super-soft, and fluff ball.

These are the three perfect terms to describe cloud slime. This slime texture is famous for how it drizzles, i.e. how easily it is holdable in hands.

The best part about cloud slime is that it is non-sticky, which means mess-free playing. After a long day, when you get to play with this softness, nothing compares.

Jelly Cube Slime

Jelly cube textured slime is the most refreshing and stretchy kind of slime available.

This slime is super-stretchy and flexible. It is made by mixing clear or coloured slime with foam jelly cubes.

There are several benefits of Jelly cube slime- it is an affordable option in variations of slime and probably gives out the best ASMR joy.

Butter Slime

Like butter, this texture is rich, smooth, mouldable and squishable. It's the number one slime to unwind with while feeling tense.

We frequently call it a TV slime since you can play with it while sitting in front of the TV and multi-task like a pro. This type of slime is known to keep you engaged for hours.

It is not that stretchy, but it's perfect for people who like a creamy, pillowy texture.

How to maintain the quality of slimes?

The most effective way to store slime is to ensure that you eliminate dampness from it, as it could be expected quickly.

This can be achieved if you knead the slime for a long time and then store it.

It also makes it firmer and easy to store in a water/airproof container or ziplock.

And you can keep it for quite a long time if it contains borax since it doesn't turn bad.

In case you decide to use a ziplock for storing the handmade slime:

Place the slime inside the ziplock pack. Ensure that it is adequately huge to fit the slime in.

Simultaneously, don't pick a pack that is too large, as you need to try not to have a lot of air inside the sack; this will keep the slime from drying out.

Use an air-tight holder to keep your slime fresh:

It would help if you kept the slime in an air-tight box from drying out so you want it to stay away from moisture.

Also, clingy wrap on the slime can keep it from drying. A food container would be ideal.

The most effective method to Keep Slime From Drying Out

Hard slime is unplayable. Keeping up with the cushioned and creaminess of slime is an expertise that all slime lovers should get.

Use warm water

One of the least demanding ways of changing hard slime is to use warm water.

You need a couple of tablespoons of the water in a bowl, then ply the slime into the water.

Moisturiser

The moisturiser isn't just fit for keeping skin delicate and flexible; it can also have a similar effect on slime.

Add a little to a bowl and blend it with a few drops of water.

Keep away from filthy surfaces

When it comes to keeping your slime new and safeguarding it, keep it far from grimy regions.

If your slime gets in contact with something messy, it's ideal for discarding it.

Conclusion

Watching somebody's hands form slime is so fulfilling because it gives ASMR satisfaction, which is Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

ASMR is a genuine vibe of relaxation that starts from the scalp and moves down to the spine. ASMR of slime could assist sleep-deprived patients with soundly sleeping since it gives peace.

Throughout the long term, slime has greatly affected kids and grown-ups. A few logical investigations have claimed that slime leads to happiness, focus, and mindful behaviour.

Slime doesn't need different individuals to partake and can be played with independently.

Since the frenzy for slime has increased over time, and the responses for making it are fantastic, people have taken to making slime of various varieties at home.

Ultimately, we can conclude that slime is perfectly safe to be used by both adults and kids as long as all the safety measures are kept in mind.

So, buy that DIY slime kit and have a slime party without stress.

PS- Never try to eat a slime because slime is inedible, and always wash your hands after playing.