In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We tested slime, DIY slime, putty and more to find the most fun options for kids
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ May 30, 2024
The Best Slime And Putties for 2024
Are you looking for super cool putty and slime for your kiddo? Searching for sensory stimulation? We tested 6 top slime and putty choices to determine which options stand out from the competition. Whether you want a ready-made product, a kit with special add-ins, or putty that seems to last forever, we've got something for you in this special lineup of cool options. After weeks of testing with kids and parents alike, we have the details you need on quality, features, functionality, and fun-factor to find the right option for your little one.
The Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty is a purplish putty that is so fun to play with you may not even share it with your children. We love this slime for all that it is and all that it isn't. It stretches to great lengths, can be see-thru, twists and folds, and never gets hard or stiff (not after months in an open container). If your child accidentally leaves it out, it won't dry, and in our test home with multiple dogs, it even managed to avoid collecting hair and dirt. This putty is also plentiful; there was enough for two, and our testers had no trouble sharing (which, if we are honest, they typically do).
The only real downside we experienced with this putty was that the tin was darn near impossible to open, and it was worse if putty got stuck between the lid and container or the lid was crooked. We recommend younger players be given the tin without the top so that parents can put it on or not) and take it off. Eventually, after two years of play, the tin sealed itself closed, never to be opened again. This putty is fun, colorful, long-lasting, and great for kids with sensory needs or who like to fidget. If you want an option that's easier to open, take a look at the Kicko Glow in The Dark Slime.
This cosmic colored putty is long-lasting and perfect for fidgety fingers looking for something to do.
The Original Stationery Unicorn Slime Kit is a tub of fun ingredients with more accessories than you can shake a stick at. This pink tub has slime and many cool things for mixing, including scent and color. It comes with a book of how-to's, and you get to make the slime yourself, which can be fun interaction for kids and parents to do together.
This kit really needs adult involvement and is not something you can hand over to a kid to do on their own (unless you just enjoy cleaning). There is a lot of opportunity for messes, and we worry it could stain or become permanently smelly. However, keeping things clean and having a designated station for set up and play could offer fun and bonding for the whole family. If you're looking for slime that requires less setup, consider another option like the Kicko Glow in The Dark Slime.
This Unicorn kit of slime ingredients will keep you busy with ingredients to make your own slime and add fun things to it.
The National Geographic Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab is a ready-to-go kit with several kinds of putty and slime to work with. We like that there is no setup with this kit and that kids can change from one container to another when they get bored with the properties of one. This kit has three types of putty and several interesting slime choices, including liquid slime we didn't see elsewhere.
Some of the slimes are messy and could easily get stuck in the carpet, so we recommend playing with them over hard, non-porous floors. Also, the color-changing putty is not as good as the one in competing putty kits. Overall, we love that this kit has so many potential options to keep little ones busy, and we think the kit has something for everyone, no matter their preference. Another putty option you may want to consider is Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty. We found it won't dry out and doesn't collect dirt or pet hair.
The Nat Geo Slime and Putty Kit is the only option we tested that gives kids a bit of both worlds.
The Kicko Glow in The Dark Slime is a cool pack of glowing slime in various colors. Each color comes in its own container that is easy for kids to open and close. The slime is cool to the touch and has a wet feel some testers liked.
The quantity in each cup is small, so it isn't a good go-to for big projects. Also, some kids may not like the wet feel even though it doesn't make your hands wet. This slime will dry out if not kept in a closed container, and its lifespan is likely shorter than the putty in this review. Overall, this is a great choice for multiple kids at parties or siblings. It would also make a great pack for keeping a spare on hand when one lands in the dirt or gets covered in hair. We also like Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty, which contains enough to share with a friend and won't dry out even when left out.
While the Kicko Glow SLime does glow, it isn't as vibrant as the pictures in advertisements which could be disappointing to some kids.
The Kicko Galaxy Slime Party Pack is a six-pack box of small slime containers. This slime has a fun wet feeling that keeps hands dry and is a purple and blue color that reminds you of the galaxy. Testers liked squishing the slime between their fingers, feigning gross-out moments, and the slick feeling.
This slime feels wet and has a liquid consistency. Some testers didn't like the feeling and didn't play with it for long. It can also dry out if not stored correctly, and we think younger users might forget to keep it contained. While this kind of slime probably has a shorter fun factor than some of the more versatile competition, we can see how it would be a big hit as party swag or favors and think the price is just right for sharing with friends. Another fun option that offers more versatility is the Original Stationery Unicorn Slime Kit. We wouldn't pass it out as party favors, but this interactive kit could be a great birthday activity.
The Cloud Slime Kit is a two-pack of scented slime with a small plastic toy on top. The consistency is akin to fluffy slime, and kids liked how it felt and how it was stretchy and moldable. There are a few colors to choose from, each with different smells and toys.
The odor of these products is strong, really strong. So strong we didn't like it, and testers chose not to play with it. Also, the small plastic toys are really cheap and similar to something you'd get out of a gumball machine at the dentist. We weren't impressed with the products, and with so many other options, it didn't fit the bill or make our list of recommended options. Instead, opt for something less smelly like Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty.
The cloud slime smell was too strong for our testers and while they liked the feel of it, the smell resulted in a shortened play session.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
With 18 kinds of slime and lots of ingredients to combine, the Zen Lab Kit is a winner for almost any child who loves slime.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
How We Test Slime and Putty
Long-time tester Wendy and her two sons worked together to select the most intriguing and popular slime and putty options of the day for testing. Her children spent time assessing each potential contender before choosing the most interesting options for little ones. They spent weeks assessing each product for fun value, quality, features, and more. Who can you trust with slime comparisons more than a couple of kids? Our child testers took their jobs seriously, assessing and creating various putty and slime options considering quality, features, and play-ability to determine which options were better than the competition.
Why Trust GearLab
BabyGearLab has been buying and testing gear for kids and babies since 2013. This good-time review was led by Senior Review Editor Wendy Schmitz. Wendy's sons helped with testing and rating the products.
The Nat Geo Slime and Putty kit comes with magnetic putty and a magnet for experients.
Clear slime is made more fun with the addition of colorful foam balls in the Zen Lab kit.
Analysis and Test Results
We researched, bought, and played with (er, we mean tested) top slime and putty products to find the best options for kids. We considered metrics like quality, features, and how fun they were to play with.
The Zen Lab has nice consistency slime that was neither wet feeling or sticky.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Quality
The products in our review vary in quality and makeup from simple, straightforward wet slime to fluffy, foamy slime and thicker, more sustainable putty. Even the putty varies from a thick, dry paste feel to a soft wax consistency. While we suspect that each product will likely outlast its level of fun or interest for some children, not all of it is presented thoughtfully for long-term play.
The Unicorn kit comes with a a lot of stuff, but it all feels cheaper and generic when compared to some of the competition with similar accessories.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The Kicko Glow in The Dark Slime and the Kicko Galaxy Slime are also lower quality compared to some of the competition. These smaller containers have less overall product than most competitors in this lineup, and the slime is a wet consistency that can easily dry out if the lid is not put on tightly. Also, both types were easy to drop accidentally and were not carpet-friendly, which resulted in a quick end of good times and a fast trip to the trash covered in dog hair. These options might be great for parties and short-term silliness, but they won't do for the long haul or for those looking for long-term sensory fun or inquisitive learning. The Original Stationery Unicorn Slime Kit is also sort of sub-par quality-wise. While it has many accessories and additives for slime, it is all generic and in small quantities. It will provide a lot of DIY fun, but it isn't made to last very long or to be reusable.
The metal tins and impressive contents of the Nat Geo Slime and Putty kit makes it one of the better quality options in the group.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The highest quality choices include Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty, which seemingly lasts forever and remains remarkably clean during testing, even in the face of a dog-filled home. It comes in a durable metal tin, and we think it offers great sensory fidget fun that will last longer than your child's interest likely will. The National Geographic Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab also impressed us during testing for quality with tin containers and accessories for increased fun or versatility.
Stretchy slime, like the Meland product, was a big winner with most testers.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Fun-factor
We aren't going to lie; all slime and putty are fun initially, even for grown-ups. The bright colors, gooey feeling, and bright colors intrigue even the most sullen child. In our tests, children liked all of the options at first blush and would undoubtedly like any of them over nothing. However, over time, there were standout winners that kids continued to play with over and over, passing by the less exciting or versatile choices in the review.
The Nat Geo kit included a super stretchy gooey option called snotty slime and green fluffy slime, both of which saw lots of use with our testers.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The National Geographic Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab was also a big hit as it includes a wider variety of options to keep kids enthralled, including snotty slime and magnetic putty. There truly is something for everyone in this pack, making it perfect for kids with short attention spans or multiple interests.
The slime and putty kit includes a rubbery putty that bounces.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Safety First
While some of the selections in this review have age ranges beginning at 3 years old, we suggest parents use caution and observe or participate with little ones' playtime as some might accidentally or intentionally consume components of the products. Only you know your child and how much supervision they require to avoid putting items in their mouth, but it is well known that younger children often explore the world using their lips and tongue. Also, given that some options are scented, we worry younger users will go in for a “taste.” We recommend you remind children that these products should not be put in their mouths, follow all instructions and warnings that come with the products, and wash their hands when playtime is done.
Who knew slime could be more fun if you add stuff to it?!
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Conclusion
Testing slime and putty is a rough and silly job, and after weeks of playing with this lot, we have the smiles, giggles, and tired hands to prove it. While you probably can't go wrong with any products in this review, there were definitely several that our testers couldn't put down, and these standout toys won awards and lots of playtimes. All kids love slime, so you might feel compelled to lean toward this option, but we highly recommend giving putty a chance if you haven't before. The putty we tried quickly won the hearts of testers and parents alike. Go for a dual product for twice the fun!
