How to Make Homemade Silly Putty
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Have you ever wanted to learn how to make Silly Putty? If you’re looking for a fun arts and crafts idea to do with the kids, you’ll love this easy recipe on how to make your own homemade silly putty!
(printable instructions at the very bottom of post)
Homemade Silly Putty Craft:
It’s been a busy summer, but we’ve still been making time for a few fun craft and kitchen projects.
On the last trip to the grocery store, I stopped by the kid’s art supply section for a bit of inspiration and stumbled across this pink glitter glue (they had green too.) I grabbed a bottle of each color, since I just happen to know a sweet little boy and girl who would love to make something fun with glitter glue…
(And of course, mama had something very fun planned for the glue.)
We were going to learn how to make Homemade Silly Putty!
This homemade silly putty recipe/experiment is made with just 3 simple ingredients!
- Borax
- Classic Glitter Glue (not washable)
- water
That’s it! If you can’t find the non-washable glitter glue, that’s ok! You can make your own glitter glue with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of fine glitter.
How to make Homemade Silly Putty
Tips:
- Type of glue will affect the results of the Homemade Silly Putty. (look for non-washable)
- If you can’t find this glitter glue, make your own with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.)
Ingredients needed for the homemade silly putty:
- 4 oz bottle of regular school glue– not the washable kind (our first batch was made with washable glue, but the washable glue didn’t work too well, so I recommend using regular, all-purpose glue. If you can’t find this glitter glue, make your own glitter glue with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.)
- Water (equivalent to the amount of glue you are using. )
- 1 tsp Borax
- 4 additional oz. of warm water (this is used to dissolve the borax)
Instructions for the Silly Putty:
Step 1:
Mix together a 1 to 1 mixture of glue and water. (I made a half size batch for this demonstration.)
Sir the glue and water together until completely mixed.
Step 2:
Dissolve 1 tsp of borax into the 4 oz (1/2 cup) warm water. Pour borax water into the glue mixture and stir.
Keep stirring, after a few seconds the glue will begin to “gel” up.
Step 3:
Pick up the glue glob and squish it around for a few moments.
It will turn into a pliable, yet firm substance: Homemade Silly Putty!
It’s so cool!
If you find the “silly putty” is becoming less pliable, put it in the microwave and heat it up for 5 to 15 seconds (depending on the amount of silly putty.) Store in a zip-loc baggie.
I enjoyed my little piece of silly putty too, lol. (Makes a great adult fidget toy!)
*As always, you’ll want to provide the appropriate supervision for different ages when working with borax.
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How to make silly putty
Materials
- 4 oz bottle of regular school glue- not the washable kind (our first batch was made with washable glue, but the washable glue didn't work too well, so I recommend using regular, all-purpose glue. If you can't find this glitter glue, make your own glitter glue with a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.)
- Water (equivalent to the amount of glue you are using. )
- 1 tsp Borax
- 4 additional oz. of warm water (this is used to dissolve the borax)
Instructions
Step 1:
- Mix together a 1 to 1 mixture of glue and water. (I made a half-size batch for this demonstration.)
- Sir the glue and water together until completely mixed.
Step 2:
- Dissolve 1 tsp of borax into the 4 oz (1/2 cup) warm water. Pour borax water into the glue mixture and stir.
- Keep stirring, after a few seconds the glue will begin to "gel" up.
Step 3:
- Pick up the glue glob and squish it around for a few moments.
- It will turn into a pliable, yet firm substance: Homemade Silly Putty!
Notes
If you find the "silly putty" is becoming less pliable, put it in the microwave and heat it up for 5 to 15 seconds (depending on the amount of silly putty.) Store in a zip-loc baggie.
Hi. Tnx for sharing this imstruction. We dont have Borox in our country, what is it made of? Would you explain plz to find a subtitude.
sorry, this is the only way I know to make it.
Love the putty mine is purple glitter glue
Hi,i love the idea but is it possible to use something else instead of borax? (Its not allowed to be sold in germany)
sorry, i do not know the answer to that.
Great project! How long does the homemade silly putty generally last?
not that long, it will dry out after a while.
So we just made this!
SUPER easy BUT ours came out really hard, rubbery and breaks apart easily but unable to stick it back together.
Any ideas on what we did wrong OR what we can do differently?
We’re going to make more for my daughter’s science fair.
Thanks!
experiment with less borax maybe?
hello! if the kids are done with playing, can i use it again? can it be stored ? or do i have to throw it away and make another one if they want to play?
I am a kid so I will love it (PS I’m 10) . this is so YAY CRAFTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah, this is so clever and creative! It’s such a simple little recipe, and it really could provide hours and hours of fun! My son is only 15 months old, but I think this would be such a great little sensory activity for him! Thanks so much for sharing <3
I'm confused. The instructions says to mix the glue and water, then says to dissolve the water with the borax and then mix with glue mixture?? So do we dissolve the borax with the warm water first then add glue? Or mix glue and water then add borax?
Sorry for the confusion, I updated the instructions and hopefully they are more clear.
You need 2 separate amounts of water. One will be the equivalent of the amount of glue you use since you are making a 1 to 1 water/glue mixture. And the 2nd amount is used to dissolve the borax.
Is there an alternitive for Glitter Glue ? I really want to make this but don't have any glitter-glue! ( also can't be bothered to buy some )
yes, use the elmers classic/glue all add a few drops of food coloring and a few tablespoons of colored glitter.
Hello I was wondering if you could help me. I made one batch that turned out perfect, but my second batch is a bit sticky. What do I need to add to fix that? Thank you. Mshammer76@yahoo.com
how much borax a whole box?/
Hi, its 1 teaspoon of Borax. (I updated the post so the amount of borax is listed with the ingredients.)
~Jamie
My borax mixture didn't gel up all the way with the glue mix. Did I do something wrong? I didn't end up with as much as you did.
By chance, did you use washable glue? My first batch was with washable Elmers glue, and it did not work either. I switched to the Classic Elmers glue and you can see how it turned out. Otherwise, maybe glue brands are different or maybe you needed more borax? It's hard to say without being there…
How fun! What a great idea to use glitter glue!
Hi,
Patashoo- i am also from the uk, and I bought some from amazon.
Can't wait to use this while babysitting! Love this experiment/activity!