Sliming things up at the library

When you think slime, you probably don’t think libraries. But here at the Lethbridge Public Library, we’re all about championing opportunities for curiosity and learning, and that makes us love slime as a great family activity for all ages.

Slime is a fun way to introduce kids to simple chemical reactions. Much like baking, making slime also encourages children to learn measurements and simple math concepts. And for those kids who thrive on creativity, slime is infinitely customizable through food colouring and adding mix-ins such as glitter, sequins or beads.

Don’t know where to start? My favourite slime recipe uses a half cup of glue and half teaspoon of baking soda with one to two tablespoons of saline contact solution as its activator (just make sure the glue has PVA and the contact solution has boric acid in it). Mixing this all together makes a basic slime and is a great one to start with.

Once you have that mastered, check out “Ultimate Slime” by Alyssa Jagan, available through Hoopla Digital via the library catalogue. This book outlines fluffy slimes, metallic slimes, clay slimes and more, each of which will demonstrate to kids a different type of reaction.

If your child is too young to handle things such as glue and contact solution, Google “edible slime” or “pudding slime” for some safer alternatives. For young children (and let’s be honest — for older children, too) slime is great for exploring different tactile sensations.

If you’re looking for other slime resources at the library, check out “Slime!” by Trisha Haas, “Super Squishies, Slime and Putty” by Teresa Sillars-Powell, or “Cool Doughs, Putties, Slimes & Goops” by Rebecca Felix, all of which are full of fun projects.

Here at the library, we also offer slime programming, such as in our STEAM Lab, which runs Friday afternoons and at events such as Slime-a-Palooza! happening next week. And though registration is currently full, keep an eye on the library calendar and our social media accounts for future events.

Happy sliming, everyone!