How to Color Slime

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 6, 2021 Tested

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Making slime is a fun way to pass the time, but it’s even more interesting if you make colorful slime. Food coloring is the most common choice for adding color to slime, but there are other things that you can use too, such as paint, eyeshadow, or even markers! You can add color to a pre-made batch of clear or white slime, or follow a simple recipe to make a new batch of colorful slime.

Ingredients

Adding Color to Pre-Made Slime

Markers
Food coloring
1 teaspoon (5 g) of eyeshadow or pigment powder
1 teaspoon (5 g) of glitter

Making Slime with Paint or Food Coloring

¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water
¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white or clear school glue
¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of liquid starch
1 to 4 drops of paint or food coloring

Creating Eyeshadow or Pigment Powder Slime

¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water
¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white or clear school glue
¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of liquid starch
1 teaspoon (5 g) of eyeshadow or pigment powder

Mixing Slime Ingredients with Marker Liquid

¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water
¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white or clear school glue
¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of liquid starch
Marker in the color of your choice

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Adding Color to Pre-Made Slime

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1
Add a drop of food coloring to your slime and knead it in. Choose any color you like to add to your slime. Add 1 drop directly onto the slime. Then, knead the food coloring into the slime with your hands. Keep kneading until the color is distributed evenly throughout the slime. Add another drop to make the color more noticeable.^{[1]
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- You can use 1 color or combine colors. For example, you could make blue slime with a drop of blue food coloring, or use a drop of blue and red food coloring for purple slime.
Warning: Food coloring will stain your hands, clothes, and other surfaces if it gets on them. Wear disposable vinyl gloves and an old t-shirt or apron while you knead the slime and cover your work surface with paper towels or newspaper.
2
Use markers to draw on your slime and then knead in the color. A fun and easy way to add color to slime is to draw on your slime with washable markers. Spread your slime out so it is flat and draw whatever you like on it, or simply color it in with a marker. Then, knead the slime to distribute the color.^{[2]
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- Repeat this as many times as you like to deepen the color.
- Combine multiple colors to make new ones, such as yellow and blue to make green slime, or red and blue to make purple slime.
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3
Mix 1 teaspoon (5 g) of color pigment into your slime. You can use a special color pigment meant for making slime, or use powdered eyeshadow. Measure out 1 teaspoon (about 5 g) of the color pigment of your choice. Then, knead the pigment into your slime until the pigment is distributed evenly throughout the slime.^{[3]
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- Add more pigment if needed to achieve the desired color.
- You can use any pigment or eyeshadow color you like to color your slime. Try purple pigment or eyeshadow for purple slime, or a glittery charcoal pigment or eyeshadow for sparkly black slime.
4
Knead glitter into your slime for color and sparkle. Choose a colorful glitter in the size and texture you like. Then, knead about 1 teaspoon of the glitter into your slime. Keep adding 1 teaspoon at a time until the slime is the desired color.
- You can also substitute an equal amount of glitter glue for regular glue when making slime to get glittery slime.^{[4]
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- Chunky glitter won’t actually color the slime, but you can combine glitter with another option for coloring slime if you want your slime to be sparkly.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making Slime with Paint or Food Coloring

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1
Combine equal parts water and white or clear school glue. Measure out ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water and ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white or clear school glue. Pour both ingredients into a bowl and use a plastic or metal spoon to stir them until they are well combined.^{[5]
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- If you use clear glue, your slime will have a translucent or see-through look.
- If you use white glue, your slime will be opaque and you won’t be able to see through it.
Tip: If you use colored glue, you won’t need to add food coloring or paint at all to color your slime! It will take on the color of the glue you use.
2
Add 1 to 2 drops of your desired food coloring or paint. Food coloring is the most popular choice, but you can use other liquid colors, such as acrylic paint, poster paint, or liquid watercolor. For more interesting slime, you could even try glow-in-the-dark paint.^{[6]
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- You can choose a color you like or combine 2 colors to create a color, such as 1 drop of yellow and 1 drop of red for orange slime.
3
Stir the liquid coloring into the glue-water with a spoon until the color is even. If the slime is too pale for your liking, add another 1 or 2 drops of your color, then stir it again. Keep adding the color 1 drop at a time until you get the shade you want.^{[7]
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- For example, if you add 1 drop of green food coloring and the water is only a light green, then add another drop and stir again.
4
Add in ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of liquid starch. Measure out the liquid starch and add it into the bowl. Then, stir the liquid starch in with the other ingredients until they are all well combined.^{[8]
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- Use clear liquid starch or liquid starch in a color that’s similar to your pigment.
- You can use a spoon or fork to stir the liquid starch in.
5
Knead the slime for 1 minute to finish it. The slime will start to form a blob after you finish stirring it. When this happens, pull the slime out of the bowl. Knead it with your hands until it is the desired consistency. The longer you knead the slime, the firmer it will become.^{[9]
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- If the slime is too firm after 1 minute of kneading, add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) more water and then knead it again.
- If it's too gooey after 1 minute of kneading, add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) more starch and then knead it again.
- Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the dye, if desired.
If you keep your slime clean and store it in a plastic container or zippered bag when you're not using it, it will last for several weeks. When the slime dries out, throw it away and make a new batch.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Creating Eyeshadow or Pigment Powder Slime

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Pour ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water into a bowl, then add ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white or clear school glue. Stir the 2 ingredients together with a spoon until the ingredients are well combined.^{[11]
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Tip: You can double the amount of water and glue for a larger batch of slime, but make sure that you use the same amount for both and double your liquid starch as well.
2
Find eyeshadow or pigment powder in your desired color. Since you'll be scraping the eyeshadow to make powder, make sure that it's one you won't mind permanently ruining. Alternatively, use any type of colored powder you want, such as scrapbooking pigment powder.^{[12]
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- For extra-special slime, consider using glow-in-the-dark pigment powder. You might find it in a craft store, but you'll have better luck online.
3
Scrape 1 teaspoon (5 g) of the eyeshadow into the glue-water. For even better results, scrape the eyeshadow into a plastic baggie first, then smash it with the back of a spoon to turn it into a fine powder. A little bit goes a long way, so start with 1 teaspoon (5 g). You can always add more later!
- If you're using pigment powder, measure out 1 teaspoon (5 g), and add it into the glue-water.
4
Stir the powder into the glue-water with a spoon until the color is even. If the color is not deep enough for you, add 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 g) more eyeshadow or pigment powder, and stir it again. Make sure that you get all lumps and clumps out!
- If a spoon isn't getting all of the lumps and clumps out, switch to a fork or mini whisk instead.
5
Pour in ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of liquid starch. Measure and add the liquid starch to the bowl. Then, use a spoon to stir all of the ingredients together. Stir until they're well combined.^{[13]
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- Use clear liquid starch, or choose a color that’s similar to your pigment.
6
Knead the slime until it firms up. Once the ingredients glob together, take the slime out of the bowl and squish the slime with your fingers. Keep kneading the slime in your hands for 1 minute until it firms up and isn’t as gooey anymore.^{[14]
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- If the slime is too firm after kneading it for 1 minute, add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of water and then knead it for 1 more minute.
- If it's too gooey after kneading it for 1 minute, add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of starch and then knead it for 1 more minute.
- You can put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the eyeshadow or pigment powder before you start kneading.
The slime should last for about 5 to 7 weeks if you store it properly. Keep it clean and store it in a plastic container or zippered bag when you are not using it. After that, it'll start to harden and dry out. Once that happens, toss it into the trash and make a new batch!^{[15]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Mixing Slime Ingredients with Marker Liquid

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Pour ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of water and ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white or clear school glue into a bowl. Stir them together with a spoon until the consistency is even.^{[16]
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2
Remove the end cap from a thick washable marker. Choose a washable marker for your color. You can use any color you like, or combine 2 or more colors to make a new color. Grab the end part with a pair of pliers or a wrench and twist it off to remove it.^{[17]
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- For example, you could use a red marker for red slime, or combine red and blue markers for purple slime.
- For scented slime, use a scented marker.
3
Remove the felt cartridge. Tip the marker upside down first and try to slide the felt cartridge out. If it won't come out, unravel a paper clip, poke 1 end into the felt cartridge, and pull it out. You can also try using a pair of skinny needle-nose pliers, a toothpick, or a skewer.^{[18]
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- This step can get messy, so you might want to wear vinyl gloves while you do this and work over some old newspapers.
Hold the felt cartridge above the glue, then squeeze it with your fingers. The ink is very concentrated, so you won't need very much. Remember, you can always add more later.^{[19]
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If the color is not bright enough, squeeze another drop of ink into the glue, and stir it again. Keep in mind that white school glue slime will always have a slightly pastel shade unless you add a lot of color to it.

Tip: When you’re done adding the color, you can throw out the disassembled marker, store the felt in a plastic bag if you want to use it to color slime in the future, or pop the felt cartridge back into the tube and replace the end cap.
6
Add ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of clear liquid starch into the glue-water. Measure out ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of liquid starch and add it to the bowl. Then, stir the ingredients with a spoon to combine them.^{[20]
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- Choose a liquid starch color similar to the marker color, or opt for clear liquid starch.
7
Knead the slime for 1 minute to finish it. Once the slime starts to come together into a blob, pull the blob out and knead it with your hands. Continue to knead the slime until the color is distributed evenly and it is the desired consistency.^{[21]
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- If the slime is too firm, add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of water. Then, knead the slime for 1 more minute.
- If the slime is too gooey, add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of starch. Then, knead the slime for 1 more minute.
- You may want to put on a pair of gloves before you start kneading to protect your hands from the dye.
You can store your finished slime in a zippered bag or resealable plastic container for several weeks. Keep the slime clean and put it away after each use. Make a new batch after it starts to dry out.

Community Q&A

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Question

What is liquid starch?

Community Answer

It's a laundry additive that stiffens fibers and prevents wrinkles. You'll find it in stores alongside laundry detergent and dryer sheets.

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Question

How can I avoid the food coloring sticking to my hands when I play with the slime?

Community Answer

You could wear gloves, but you could also add tiny bits at a time, to reduce how much you get on your hands.

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Question

Can eye shadow replace pigment?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

In the Things You'll Need section of the article, eye shadow is listed as an option to powdered pigment paint as a colorant. Your choice depends on the amount of slime being made and the level of color desired. Powdered paint may be more economical if a large amount of slime is needed. Eye shadow may provide unusual colors that cannot be made with paint powder.

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