How to make butter slime at home - soft, stretchy and easy to clean up!
A step-by-step guide for parents and kids who want the smoothest slime with less mess.
Slime can be a sticky business – literally. But butter slime? It’s the smooth, stretchy upgrade your kids will love, and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Jump to:
- What is butter slime?
- Ingredients for butter slime
- How to make butter slime
- Fun ways to play with butter slime
- How to store butter slime
- Common questions and how to fix butter slime
Whether you're a seasoned slime parent or completely new to the world of stretchy crafts, this step-by-step guide will show you how to make butter slime that’s soft, satisfying and far less likely to get stuck in the carpet.
From the ingredients you'll need to fun ways to play with it, here's everything you need to know about making butter slime at home – including how to fix it if it turns out too wet or too hard.
What is butter slime?
Butter slime is a softer, stretchier type of slime that’s made by adding soft clay into a basic slime recipe. Unlike traditional slime, butter slime doesn’t drip through your fingers – it’s more mouldable, silky and satisfying to play with.
It’s a big hit with children who love sensory play or get frustrated with regular slime sticking to everything. It even spreads like real butter (hence the name) – and yes, your kids will definitely test that theory!
Ingredients for butter slime
You don’t need any special kits to make butter slime – just a few simple craft ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ½ cup of white PVA glue (children’s craft glue or CE-marked glue works best)
- ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1/3 cup shaving foam (optional for fluffiness)
- ¼ cup water
- Slime activator (or a contact lens solution that contains boric acid)
- 1 cup soft modelling clay (look for ‘soft air-dry clay’ or foam clay – not standard air-dry clay)
- Food colouring (optional)
- Mixing bowl and spoon
Top tip: Choose yellow clay if your kids want that buttery look – or let them pick their favourite colour for rainbow variations.
How to make butter slime
Making butter slime takes around 15 minutes, and it's a great hands-on craft for a rainy afternoon. Here's how:
1. Make your slime base
In a large bowl, mix your PVA glue, water, bicarbonate of soda, and shaving foam (if using) until smooth. Add a few drops of food colouring now, if desired.
2. Add the slime activator
Slowly add your activator, 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing well between each addition. Keep going until the mixture starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl and becomes less sticky.
3. Knead your slime
Take the slime out of the bowl and knead it with clean hands until it firms up and becomes stretchy.
5. Add the modelling clay
Now for the fun bit! Take equal parts slime and soft clay and knead them together until fully combined. This will take a few minutes – the more your child squishes and stretches, the better the texture gets.
Fun ways to play with butter slime
Once your butter slime is ready, there are loads of ways to get creative:
- Slice it like butter – use plastic utensils to test the “spread test”
- Create shapes – it holds its shape more than traditional slime
- Stretch challenge – see how far your kids can stretch it without breaking
- Add scents or glitter – just make sure it's safe and age-appropriate
It's also ideal for calming sensory play. Pop it in a tray and let your little ones explore the squish and stretch without screens.
How to store butter slime
To keep your butter slime soft and stretchy for as long as possible:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature
- Avoid direct sunlight or heat
- If it starts to dry out, knead in a drop of water or lotion to revive it
Butter slime can last up to a week (sometimes longer), depending on how it's played with.
Common questions and how to fix butter slime
Q. Why is my butter slime too sticky or wet?
A. Try adding a tiny bit more activator – just a few drops at a time. Knead well between additions.
Q. How do I fix hard butter slime?
A. If it’s too stiff, knead in a small amount of water or a dab of body lotion to soften it again.
Q. Does butter slime dry out?
A. Yes, eventually – but storing it in a sealed tub helps extend its life.
Q. Can I use any clay?
A. No – for butter slime to work, it must be soft foam or modelling clay. Regular air-dry clay will make it crumbly.
Making butter slime at home is a brilliant, low-cost activity that doubles as a sensory treat. It’s smoother, more manageable and more mouldable than traditional slime – and let’s face it, anything that makes less mess on your sofa gets a thumbs-up from us.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.