Slime-like substances can be found in many places in nature -- the trail left behind by a snail, the goo inside of an aloe plant or the hagfish's defense when predators come too close. Here's how your child can make super squishy (and edible!) slime.

MATERIALS

• Two cups water
• Three heaping teaspoons of Tapioca Flour (calso called Tapioca Starch)
• All natural food coloring (optional
• One teaspoon small pearl tapioca (optional + works best if you soak in water for several hours before cooking)
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Heat-safe bowl

DIRECTIONS

① Combine the water and tapioca in a saucepan and stir until dissolved. Add five drops of food coloring (optional).

② Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring constantly. You will notice the color change from opaque to transparent.

③ Reduce heat and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes.

④ As the mixture starts to thicken, use the spoon to scrape along the bottom and the sides.

⑤ When the slime is ready, pour into a heat-safe bowl and let cool. Less time will produce a more liquid-like slime. Boiling the mixture longer will make it gooier. The mixture will continue to thicken overnight.

TALK ABOUT IT

Use the slime to engage your child in a converstation about the chemistry and composition of the slime. What does the slime feel like? Is it a liquid like water? Or is it solid like a rock?