Edible JELLO Slime (Color-Changing!) - Only 3 Ingredients! (2024)

The original and BESTedible Jello slimerecipe! Only 3 ingredients and it changes color when you mix it!Our veryfirst edible slimerecipe, 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 justwatchingher 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 evenedible glow in the dark slime! We even triededible 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 prettyyummy! 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:

1. Easy to make (only 3 ingredients)
2. Safe and non-toxic (glue free slime, no borax, no liquid starch, etc)
3. 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 beginsto 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, butit’s not a food item and not meant to be eaten in large amounts. Always supervise young children when playing with this silly putty.

LIKE The Soccer Mom Blog on Facebook for daily family inspiration!

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 handsand 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!

Can’t Get Enough Slime??

Get over 100pages of slime recipes in our Updated 2nd Edition ofThe 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!