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Cornflour sensory mix

A two-ingredient alternative to glue-based slime: press it gently, then watch it flow.

Allow
15–20 minutes
Makes
6 small individual trays
Illustrative example for Cornflour sensory mix
Generated activity illustration. Your result will vary.

Sensory play only — not for eating. Review contact allergies and mouthing behaviour. Food ingredients do not make this mixture suitable to eat.

Ingredients and materials

  • 300 g cornflour, with the ingredient label checked
  • Approximately 200 mL cool drinking water, added gradually
  • 6 shallow washable trays, spoons and a protected non-slip work area

Make it together

  1. Check individual allergies and the actual product: products sold as cornflour can have different ingredients. An empty listed-allergen field does not mean allergy-free.
  2. An adult portions the powder to minimise airborne dust. Slowly mix in water until the material firms under gentle pressure but flows when released.
  3. Give children individual trays. Explore with spoons or fingers only where their care plans and supervision arrangements allow.
  4. Keep trays on the table and clean spills immediately because the mixture can make floors slippery.
  5. Finish with handwashing and surface cleaning. Put the used mixture in an appropriate waste container; do not pour it down sinks where it can block plumbing.

Before the children join in

  • Play only, not food. Raw starch mixtures must not be tasted; use a different activity for children who mouth materials.
  • No borax, laundry products, contact-lens solution, fragrance or glue is used.
  • Discard after the session. Do not describe this mixture as germ-free, non-allergenic or safe to eat.

Talk, notice, explore

What happens when you press slowly? What happens when you stop pressing?