The original and BEST edible Jello slime recipe! Only 3 ingredients and it changes color when you mix it! Our very first edible slime recipe, and still one of the most popular!
The Original Edible Jello Slime
(Originally published inn 2017, updated for 2020)
Growing up, I loved playing with slime, like Nickelodeon Gak and homemade white glue slime! Though in my day, our options were a bit more limited because we didn’t have the internet with thousands of different recipes to choose from.
When the latest slime craze hit a few years ago, most of the new recipes I found were made with glue, borax, liquid starch, etc.
Since my youngest daughter was only two years old at the time and still liked to stick everything in her mouth, I wanted to find a safer alternative. Because obviously she wasn’t going to be happy just watching her older sister play with slime! She wanted to play too!
Why Jello?
That led me to create our first edible slime recipe (this one!!), which was a fun spin on the oobleck I played with as a child. Except we added JELLO — which gives our slime fruity flavor and causes it to change color when you mix it!
In 2017 when we originally published this recipe, there was nothing like it on the internet, and I’ve still never found a better Jello slime recipe!
It was such a smash hit with other parents of young kids that we kept experimenting with other edible slime recipes — pudding slime, chocolate slime, and even edible glow in the dark slime! We even tried edible pizza slime – and that got a LOT of comments, both good and bad! But we thought it was super fun!
Not only is this easy silly putty recipe non-toxic…it’s edible! Actually, it tastes pretty yummy! Not that I recommend eating the whole batch, but if your kids lick their fingers it’s all good.
How Do You Make Slime without Borax?
Borax is one of the most common slime activators – it causes a chemical reaction when combined with glue that results in streeeetttcchhyy particles and slime!
However, like I mentioned above, it may not be the best choice for young children or those with sensitive skin.
The good news is that you can make an amazing slime recipe without borax! Actually we’ve made a LOT of homemade slime without borax! Like this one!
FYI…
Borax free slime does not necessarily mean the same thing as non-toxic slime.
Many so-called “borax-free slime recipes” on the internet actually contain a form of boric acid — which is essentially the same thing.
If you see contact lens solution, laundry detergent, or liquid starch listed in the ingredients of a slime recipe — those are not truly borax-free slime recipes.
We’ve made plenty of awesome slime recipes with contact lens solution and liquid starch as the activator, with no adverse effects. However, with young kids, I like to err on the side of caution, which is why we make so many taste-safe and easy slime without borax.
Be sure to check out the demo video in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Why I love this edible silly putty recipe:
- Easy to make (only 3 ingredients)
- Safe and non-toxic (glue free slime, no borax, no liquid starch, etc)
- Quick clean-up (washes right off with water)
Affiliate links provided for your convenience in recreating this recipe; read our disclosure policy here.
What You Need to Make Jello Slime
- Corn starch — Our edible slime activator. Start with about 1/2 cup, you can add more if needed.
- Sugar-free gelatin — We used half of a 1.55 ounce package, which is the larger sized box. Any flavor you like!
- Water — As needed
Tip: Don’t have Jello? Try our edible pudding slime recipe!
Why Sugar Free Jello?
We’ve tried this recipe with both regular Jello and Sugar-free Jello mix. It works with both!
However, we found the sugar free Jello to create a slime that was less sticky and easier to clean up. That’s why we recommend using sugar free if you have it!
What About JELL-O Play Edible Slime Mix?
A couple months ago, JELL-O introduced a line of edible slime mixes that looked veeeerrrry similar to our homemade Jell0 Slime recipe. Hmmm…
They sent us a couple flavors to try – click here to see what we thought about JELL-O Play Slime!
How to Make Jello Slime
Start by adding cornstarch and sugar-free Jello to a medium mixing bowl. Which together with a fork or spoon.
Add 2 tablespoons water to dry ingredients. Stir until a paste begins to form.
This is the cool part…the pale white powder turns a vivid color! (Ours is purple because we used this Frozen-inspired berry-flavored gelatin)
However, any flavor Jello will have this cool color-changing effect!
Continue to add water little by little until the silly putty clumps together instead of sticking to the bottom/sides of bowl.
Keep reading for tips on getting the perfect slime, cleanup, and slime safety, as well as more of our favorite slime recipes!
Tips for Making Perfect Jello Slime
- We used a silicone baking mat
as our play surface for easier clean-up. (Putty washes right off with water!) - You can’t really “mess up” making this recipe. If it’s too runny, simply add more cornstarch. If it’s too thick, add a bit more water. (Note that this is similar to classic “oobleck” putty, as opposed to stretchy and bouncy kinds made with chemicals).
- If putty begins to dry out or crumble, add a teaspoon of water and squish to rehydrate for more play time!
- “Cool” colors like green, blue, and purple are less likely to stain hands.
- Just a note: this putty is taste-safe, but it’s not a food item and not meant to be eaten in large amounts. Always supervise young children when playing with this silly putty.
as our play surface for easier clean-up. (Putty washes right off with water!)
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Tips for a Mess-Free Slime Play Experience
One of our readers shared this simple tip for mess-free play and we loved it so much that we asked if we could share!
For mess-free slime play, simply scoop your silly putty mixture into a plastic zipper bag and seal. It’s also perfect for kids that don’t like sticky hands and it keeps slime from drying out as quickly. Win-win!
Thanks Teresa!
Learn to Master Slime
There are three starter slime recipes that form the base for hundreds of awesome slime variations, like this Edible Silly Putty Slime. Once you master these basic recipes, you can make almost anything!
Click here to learn how to make slime using our three starter recipes!
Jello Slime Recipe (Printable Copy)
Have you make this DIY slime without borax? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Edible Silly Putty
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1/2 large package sugar-free gelatin 1/2 of 1.55 ounce package
- water
Instructions
- Combine cornstarch and sugar-free Jello powder in a medium mixing bowl.
- Begin adding water to dry ingredients, 2 tablespoons at a time. Stir until a paste begins to form.
- Continue to add water little by little until the silly putty clumps together instead of sticking to the bottom/sides of bowl.
- Finish mixing by hand and play!
Video
Can’t Get Enough Slime??
Get over 100 pages of slime recipes in our Updated 2nd Edition of The Slime Book! Now available in both PRINT and digital formats!
From seasonal & holiday slime, to glow-in-the-dark slime, there are 43 unique slime recipes for hours of play! Many of them are brand new and never published!
CLICK HERE to see ALL the recipes grab your copy of The Slime Book today!
More Edible Slime and Play Dough Recipes
Don’t miss: Check out our Master List of Edible Slime Recipes for Kids here!
If you like play dough, be sure to check out our Homemade Play Dough Recipes Ebook!
Our edible slime recipes are made with simple household ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen. Perfect for hours of sensory play that’s safe and non-toxic!
More of our favorite homemade slime and play dough recipes:
3-Ingredient Edible Chocolate Slime
Smells just like a cup of hot cocoa – yum!!
Heavenly-smelling Birthday Cake Batter Edible Play Dough recipe (it’s taste-safe too!)
Seriously, this soft homemade play dough smells out of this world! No cooking required to make it!
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Yadhira Negrete says
Tried it super good recipe?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Kayla says
I haven’t yet but I will
Bianca Bowman says
What a wonderful recipe. I love it, and I know my little ones will too. Perfect for summer fun. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Summer says
Sounds great! This is just what I need for my 1 year-old. What color does it turn if you use regular gelatin?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Summer – The color depends on the gelatin mix, so if you’re using regular (unflavored), your dough will stay white.
Charby says
Is there a reason for sugar free vs regular jello in this recipe?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Charby – We used sugar free because that is what we had on hand. I also thought that perhaps sugar would be stickier, but haven’t tested out the theory 🙂
Sally says
How long will this last if kept sealed between play times?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Sally – I would say this is a 1-2 use slime recipe, since it is made with food ingredients. If kept sealed, you can add a little bit of water and try to rehydrate, but I wouldn’t allow kids to taste on the 2nd play. Hope this helps!
Charlotte Hansen says
you called your putty color changing it makes people think it changes colors so if you don’t want people to be mad bc it doesn’t then I suggest changing your title
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Charlotte – the putty changes color when you mix it up, which I explain in the post and show in the video. If anyone were to get mad about that title, I think they have too much time on their hands 😉
Happy Hands says
We tried this and loved it. Great Post!
Dava Sharpe says
Is it actually edible to eat raw cornstarch?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It’s not meant to be eaten as a snack or actually food item. It’s simply meant to be taste-safe (unlike glue-based slime) in case kids stick any in their mouth.
Leanne says
I only have regular jello….would I use 1/2 of the package (I think it’s 3oz)? Or half of the amount in the sugar-free jello? Thank you!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
You can use the whole package — I just recommend sugar free because it’s a little less sticky. Still fun though!
Nina Henderson says
I noticed the pudding slime should be kept in the refrigerator, should the jello slime be kept in the refrigerator or left out in a ziplock bag?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
The Jello slime tends to dry out after a day for us, so I usually just toss it and make a new batch next time.