Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How To Make Mermaid Sand Slime
In finding some kinetic sand and glitter glue in my crafting collection, I wondered if I could make a DIY slime that didn’t stick to everything it came into contact with. DIY slime, while fun, tends to be sticky, which kids love, but I don’t so much.
My sand slime reminds me a little bit of Silly Putty
I have been on a mermaid kick lately and thought some pretty ocean colored sand slime may be a fun creation, so I started experimenting. My recent mermaid sand slime experiment was a success and now I can share it with you!
Mermaid Sand Slime Ingredients
I first created DIY slime as an experiment for my niece’s 8th birthday party. She had a big crafting themed party, which I was in charge of the craft projects. We made glitter magnets, glitter bracelets, and of course, glitter slime. It was a fun day for all involved.
Glitter glue makes great DIY slime
Being a former art teacher, I knew what the kids would have fun creating, and these crafts are still popular today. My niece is now a teenager, so while she’s not quite as interested in crafts as much anymore, I figured I’d put my ideas out into the world because there are tons of other young crafters, waiting for crafts to try. I honestly love crafting as much as possible, so I thought maybe other adults would like to experiment with my sand slime recipe too!
See how to make mermaid sand slime with my 1 minute video tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
The slime mixture before sand is added
DIY slime has become an incredibly popular trend in recent years, captivating kids and adults alike. There are even tons of slime kits on the market that you could purchase and create slime with. This easy and fun homemade project allows you to unleash your creativity and create a squishy sensory experience. The process typically involves combining ingredients such as glue, borax or liquid starch, and various colors and add-ins to achieve the desired texture and appearance.
You can use any play sand for this slime recipe
Whether you prefer a stretchy, glossy slime or a fluffy, cloud-like slime, the possibilities are endless. DIY slime provides a wonderful opportunity for experimentation, providing hours of entertainment and stress relief. Plus, it's a fantastic way to engage in hands-on learning and spark imagination. So, grab your ingredients and dive into the magical world of DIY slime-making today!
My completed mermaid sand slime
My sand slime is nice because it’s not super messy. A little bit of sand came off on my hands as I played with it, but nothing too extreme. I did not add anything other than the listed ingredients below, but you could add extra glitter if you want. Please note that that any extra glitter you add may come off on hands and surfaces as it’s played with. If you don’t want that, don’t add extra glitter.
The sand slime experiments
My mermaid sand slime is also nice because it’s kind of thick, making it a great sensory play toy, which I had a lot of these types of toys in my art centers when I was an art teacher. Sensory play is an essential aspect of childhood development. It engages children in stimulating activities that enable them to explore and learn through their senses.
Sand slime makes for a great sensory toy
Whether it's feeling the texture of sand between their fingers, hearing the soothing sound of a rainstick, or smelling the aromatic scents of herbs, sensory play helps children build their cognitive, social, and physical skills.
Years ago, I created glitter bottles that were great sensory toys for kids and adults. See how to create those in my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
My purple mermaid sand slime
By engaging in sensory experiences, children develop fine motor skills as they grasp, pour, and manipulate various materials. They also enhance their language and communication skills by describing the sensations they are experiencing. Moreover, sensory play promotes creativity, problem-solving, and emotional regulation as children immerse themselves in open-ended and imaginative play. From water play to playing with playdough, sensory play provides endless opportunities for children to learn, discover, and grow in a fun and immersive way.
Easy DIY sand slime
For the ultimate sensory play, kinetic sand alone is fun, but adding it to slime gives it a new texture, making it a fun new thing for kids to touch and play with. Here are the ingredients you need to make my mermaid sand slime, though you can vary the colors as you wish:
3 ounces blue glitter glue (I used Elmer’s)
3 ounces green glitter glue
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon contact solution (I used a Target brand…make sure yours has boric acid and sodium borate like this one by Biotrue)
¼ cup play sand (I experimented with a Crayola play sand version and the Kinetic brand and they both worked)
In a bowl, mix together the glues (you can use any color liquid glue, even clear, but make sure you have 6 ounces total), baking soda and contact solution. Mix it a little with a spatula. Add in the play sand and stir until combined. I used my hands to mix after a while to make sure I got all the sand mixed in well. Kids would love to help with this part.
My sand slime is a little glittery
I would only make this with a child that was not wanting to put their hands in their mouth still, making it probably best for ages 4+. You know your child, student, or grandchild well, but if they are making this on their own, I’d recommend supervising them. The sand can get a little messy while it’s being added, so I’d also put a table cloth or a play mat or tray on the table to help make clean up a bit easier. I haven’t seen any of the sand slimes I’ve made stain anything, but it’s always a possibility.
Mermaid sand slime is fun for sensory play
I made some in the mermaid green color, but I also made purple sparkle version, which my mom liked a lot. Yes, even adults like this kind of craft! You can use plastic toys to press into the sand slime, or I had some clean seashells I found on our local Sanibel Island beaches, and they were fun to press into the sand slime. It left a seashell mark, which is a fun form of printmaking in a way.
I stored mine in an airtight plastic container and even a week later, it’s still fun to play with. There are many possibilities for color with this sand slime recipe. If you experiment, let me know in the comments below!
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.