Psyllium Slime – How to Make Slime with Psyllium Husk

Psyllium Slime – How to make Slime with Psyllium Husk

This psyllium slime recipe is a great non-toxic alternative to borax slime, and it is easy to make with psyllium husk. It is lovely for children who enjoy sensory play or creating different types of slime. It is also taste-safe, so it is fine for younger children, or children who tend to put things in their mouths. I particularly like it because it has a nice texture and usually isn’t very sticky if it is cooked enough. My children like it more than some of my other non-toxic slime recipes as its holds its shape a bit better and isn’t as sticky. 

What you need for psyllium husk slime

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Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons psyllium husk powder (UK)
• 2 cup water (approximately 500ml)
• 3-5 drops food colouring (UK) or other additions

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or pot and stir it well. You can use a microwave or stove to cook it. *I prefer preparing it on the stove so that I can stir it continuously.
• To cook it on the stove, heat it slowly and stir it continuously. It will gradually form into a piece of slime at which point you can take it off the heat. Children can play with it once it has cooled.
• If you use the microwave, it can take up to 5 minutes to prepare it. As you heat it, stop it frequently and regularly to stir it and check on how it is coming together. *You will need to keep an eye on it as it can bubble over if it gets too hot. Once it comes together, mix it up and then let it cool before children play with it.

This slime can leave little bits on children’s hands so I would recommend having a bowl of plain or soapy water available, so that the children can rinse their hands when they feel the need. Having this around is helpful for children who are worried about getting their hands dirty. My children are more likely to try different sensory play activities if they know they can wash their hands whenever they want.

Questions to ask

• How does it feel?  What words would you use to describe it?
• How can you change its shape?
• What happens when you pull it, press it, squash it, etc?
• Would you like to add anything to it?  Does it change it?  How?

What they get from psyllium husk slime

Psyllium slime is a fun, non-toxic slime that children will love using in their play. As it is made with edible ingredients, it is taste-safe, so it is fine for those who like to explore with their mouths. Sensory play provides many benefits such as enhancing learning and language as well as memory development. Children enjoy sensory play, and it will help them to engage and to focus. Research has also shown that sensory experiences support children’s learning by creating and reinforcing connections in the brain (Papatheodorou & Moyles, 2012, Gascoyne, 2012, and Gascoyne, 2016).

Take it further

My children love using this slime with different natural objects such as flowers and leaves and with water. When we make slime in different colours, they like mixing them up and seeing what happens. It can also be fun to add this into a mud kitchen so children can mix and combine it in different containers.

You may want to see some of my other posts on sensory play such as Slime Recipe with Starch, Shaving Foam Sensory Play Ideas, or 10 Cornflour Messy Play Activities.

References – Slime with psyllium husk

Papatheodorou, T. & Moyles, J. (2012) Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Early Childhood. Sage.

Gascoyne, S. (2012). Treasure Baskets and Beyond: Realizing the Potential of Sensory-Rich Play. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Gascoyne, S. (2016). Sensory Play: Play in the EYFS. Andrews UK Limited.