Fun and Easy DIY Flubber Recipe for Creative Kids

DIY Flubber has been a total game-changer for our rainy afternoons at home. You know, when the kids are literally bouncing off the couch and every toy they own feels “boring?” Well, making gooey, stretchy flubber is my secret trick. Honestly, it’s even more fun than when we tried making this [DIY dandelion play dough] or those sparkly [magical DIY dragon eggs]. Nothing gets bigger smiles or goopier messes (sorry, not sorry) than whipping up a batch of this bouncy stuff. Let’s talk about how you can do it too—no fancy science degree required.

Flubber Supplies

Okay, you don’t need some five-star restaurant pantry for this. Basically, just a few kitchen basics (check your junk cupboard too) and you’re golden. You’ll need white school glue—half the time I buy it in toddler-sized jugs, like I’m prepping for a glue apocalypse. Baking soda, a splash of regular tap water, and—this is key—a little bottle of contact lens solution. (Make sure it says “boric acid.” Ask me why I learned that the hard way.) You can toss in food coloring if you want wild colors or even biodegradable glitter (don’t @ me, I’m not a monster).

Don’t worry, most of this stuff is safe. You probably have it lying around already. Worst case, grocery store run. That’s it—no alchemy required. Oh, and bowls and a spoon you won’t mind getting slimy. Please don’t use Grandma’s china.

How To Make Flubber

All right, let’s roll up our sleeves (or not—totally optional, I respect the rebels). Pour about a cup of glue into a big bowl. If your kid dumps in half the bottle, just shrug and keep it moving. Add about a tablespoon of baking soda and mix it gently. Now, in goes your food coloring. Expect stained hands for a day or two (I call it “parenting badge”).

Once it’s all blended, squirt in the contact solution, just a spoon at a time. Mix. It’ll start looking stringy and weird—right on track. Keep adding until it pulls away from the edges and you can squish it with your hands. Frankly, this is the fun part. Knead it around, stretch it, call it “alien goo”—whatever floats your boat.

The texture sorts itself out after a minute or so. Too sticky? Add another squirt of solution. Too stiff? More glue. You’re basically MacGyver now, congrats.

Reviews

Not to brag, but my niece declared our batch “better than the stuff in the store.” She has strong opinions, trust me. My neighbor’s kid played with it for, no joke, an hour straight. Even my husband was poking at it like some overgrown science nerd.

Kids love flubber because it’s immediately satisfying. Pull it, bounce it, stick it to the window—for ten minutes, the house is (almost) quiet. Heck, I even caught my sister stress-squishing it after a long workday. Real five-star quality (in my living room, at least).

Related Pages

Obsessed with easy crafts? Don’t miss these: the DIY Stress Ball, which is basically my grown-up version of flubber; DIY Moon Rocks—super messy, but totally worth it; and if you need more sparkly goo, the DIY Galaxy Jar. I try ‘em all before sending you down the rabbit hole. Real talk, they’re fun for the “big kids” too.

Find More DIY Flubber

Having a playdate or just want to stock up on boredom busters? Check out the DIY Bubbly Lava Lamps for a groovy science twist. Or get wild and browse the whole DIY crafts page for all sorts of no-fail projects. Seriously—never run out of easy wins again.

Tips

• Store flubber in an airtight container or a sandwich bag—it’ll last up to a week, if nobody leaves it on the couch.
• Clean up is weirdly easy with warm soapy water. If it gets in the rug…don’t panic, just pick most of it up and scrub a bit.
• If the flubber gets too stiff, knead in a tiny bit of warm water. Magic!

Common Questions

Q: Is DIY flubber safe for little kids?
A: Totally, as long as they’re not trying to eat it (seriously, don’t let ‘em snack on this!). Always supervise little ones, just like you would with any craft.

Q: Can I make flubber without borax or contact lens solution?
A: You can try using liquid starch, but the texture just isn’t the same, I think. The contact solution keeps it stretchy without being so sticky.

Q: How do I get food coloring off little fingers?
A: Soap, scrubbing, and a little patience—it fades by day two. (Honestly, it’s kinda a badge of honor at my house.)

Q: Why did my flubber turn out runny/hard?
A: That’s just a mixing thing! Add more solution for runny stuff, or a splash of glue if it’s too stiff. Play around, you’ll get it right.

Q: Can I add glitter or scents?
A: Absolutely! Just dump ‘em in with the food coloring. We made “unicorn flubber” last week with some lavender oil. Smelled like nap time.

If you’re still itching to mix up more crafty magic, you have to peek at this amazing Homemade Flubber Recipe For Kids | Live Craft Eat—they get the flubber love too. It’s all about having fun, sharing silly memories, and—let’s be real—keeping the little ones busy for more than three minutes. Try out this flubber recipe and let me know if yours was the “Best Flubber Of All Time” (that’s according to the critics at my kitchen table, anyway). Stay messy, have a blast, and holler if you need another goofy craft idea!