How To Make Slime - An Easy Homemade Slime Recipe

No doubt slime is a fun, easy-to-make substance that all kids love to play with. But did you know that when your child makes slime they are actually doing science? Wow, who knew that making a simple slime recipe would turn your child into a mad scientist. 

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There are lots of different recipes for slime but no matter what kind of slime your child makes, glitter slime, fluffy slime, or even unicorn slime they are all real chemistry experiments. This non-Newtonian goop is just glue (a polymer)  + an activator like borax, liquid starch, laundry detergent, or even contact solution + water all mixed together.  

Slime Science

Recipes for slime vary however the same chemical process still occurs. Polymers are materials made of long repeating chains of molecules. An activator like borax, when dissolved in water creates borate ions and these ions then help link the polymer molecules from the glue resulting in the polymer molecules not being able to move as easily making it a thicker substance which we call slime. Whew, did you make it through that condensed chemistry lesson? If not that is ok - you can still make a great batch of slime. If you have a curious kid who loves chemistry check out ThoughtCo.com for the real "brainy" science behind the slime.

Slime Do's & Dont's 

As a parent, the most important lesson to remember is NEVER put slime down the sink or any drain. It will end in a disaster (I may or may not be speaking from experience here). The slime will clog your pipes! I recommend using a disposable bowl to mix your slime ingredients into so you can just toss the bowl out in the trash when you are done. 

Today I am going to show you how to make slime with liquid starch as the activator. The recipe is simple and easy to follow using products you probably already have on hand at home. 

Don't forget to Pin this post for later - and follow me on Pinterest for more great craft and activities you can do with your kids. 

Easy Homemade Slime Recipe

• 1/3 cup school glue (Elmer's glue works great)
• 1/2 cup shaving cream
• 1/4 cup water
• 2-3 drops liquid food coloring (optional)
• 1-3 teaspoons liquid starch

Mix together the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Add one teaspoon of liquid starch and stir for several minutes. If the slime is very runny add an additional 1 to 2 more teaspoons of liquid starch and continue to stir vigorously. Once the mixture becomes thicker your slime is ready to be handled and played with. It will be very sticky however it should become less sticky as you play with it. 

How To Make Slime Video

My daughter published a video on her YouTube channel, RianJane you can watch to see how she made a batch of slime from this recipe. 

Storing Slime

Be sure to store your slime in an air-tight container and be sure to never put your slime directly on furniture, clothing, or other fabric items. If left on a wood surface for too long you might see a watermark stain from the slime too. 

Making slime is the perfect rainy day activity for kids! Add some beads, glitter, styrofoam balls, or other textured items to your slime to amp up the sensory fun. 

What activator do you like using when making slime? Have you tried other slime recipes? I'd love to hear all about your slime adventures in the comments. 

More Fun Activities

Looking for more fun activities to do with your kids? Here are some I think they will enjoy:

Awesome Magic Paper Towel Trick 

Dala Horse Papercraft For Kids

Little Hoot Owl Craft For Kids

How To Make Flower Seed Bombs

How To Make An Easy & Simple Bird Feeder

Easy To Make Homemade Granola

Granola is the perfect breakfast food whether it is served over thick creamy Greek yogurt, sprinkled over fresh fruit, or eaten by itself. Crunchy, sweet, but not too sweet, and completely customizable to fit your preference, granola is my go-to for breakfast or even for a mid-afternoon snack. 

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The problems I always find with store-bought granola is how expensive a small bag costs or there aren't enough of the added mix-ins like raisins, nuts, and other seeds I thought I was paying the big bucks for. This can be so disappointing and it is what led me to start making my own homemade granola. 

At first, I was a little intimidated by making my own granola but after that first batch, I was hooked! It is so easy to make and completely customizable too. Want more walnuts or dried cranberries? Done! No more barely-there mix-ins because my homemade granola is overflowing with the added extras - just the way I like it. 

Making Your Own Homemade Granola is Easy

Making your own granola is also very budget-friendly even if you add extra mix-ins to suit our tastebuds. Our family loves to eat granola for breakfast and it seemed that the store-bought bags would be gobbled up and empty in less than a day. Now that I made my own granola I can make an extra big batch that doesn't even come close to the cost of what I would have to spend for the same amount at the store and not get upset when it gets eaten up. 

Since this simple recipe has just a few ingredients I don't have to worry about what hidden or unhealthy ingredients my family is consuming. Bonus - this recipe is also gluten-free and dairy-free for anyone with those dietary sensitivities.  

Granola Basics

Dry Ingredient Options

The dry ingredients are first. The base for granola is rolled oats. It is up to you if you want to use quick cook or old fashioned. I've tried both and they both turn out great. If you are gluten-free make sure to check that the oats you are using are certified gluten-free.

Nuts are a common mix-in in most granolas. If you have a nut allergy it is ok to leave them out but if you are a nut lover like my family then the more the better. You can use walnuts, pecans, peanuts, and almonds. It is best to roughly chop them before mixing them into the oats so that chewing them is easier and the texture doesn't contain huge whole nuts. 

Here are some other ideas for mixing into your granola too:

• sesame seeds
• flax seeds
• sunflower seeds
• rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
• raisins
• dried cranberries
• dried blueberries
• dried apricots (diced)
• dried bananas 
• chocolate chips

I would recommend adding the dried fruits after the baking process otherwise they have a tendency to turn rock hard. Also, don't add the chocolate until the granola is completely cool otherwise it will become a melted mess (I may or may not have learned this lesson the hard way)!

I like to flavor the dry ingredients with good quality cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt before combining with the wet ingredients. These spices are completely optional too. If you like a little "kick" to your granola you could even add a pinch of cayenne to give your granola some heat.

Wet Ingredients Options

After you have settled on the dry ingredients it is time to work on the wet ingredients. Did you know that the wet ingredients are customizable too? Yeah! Feel free to experiment with flavors you like.

The base of the wet ingredients is honey or real maple syrup and coconut oil (or vegetable oil if you prefer). Here are some additional wet flavors you could add to this to customize your granola:

• Peanut butter
• Molasses
• Vanilla extract - or another flavor of your liking
• Carmel
• Chocolate (dark or semi-sweet)

This morning I added in molasses and boy does my kitchen smell amazing! 

By now I'm sure you are ready for the recipe so go pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and let's get started.

Here is the PRINTABLE version of this recipe!

Easy Homemade Breakfast Granola

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup rice cereal (optional)

• 1 cup chopped nuts (peanuts, walnuts, almonds or pecans)

• 1/4 cup coconut oil (or vegetable oil)

• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup

• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

• 2 Tablespoons molasses (optional)

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 

1. In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients* together including the salt and cinnamon.

2. In a separate microwavable safe bowl add the oil, peanut butter, molasses, and honey. Microwave for 1 minute on high then stir. If the ingredients aren't completely melted microwave for additional 30-second intervals until completely melted. 

3. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir to thoroughly combine. Spread the mixture onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. 

4. Bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before serving. Store in an air-tight container.

*Add in your favorite mix-ins with the wet ingredients except for any dried fruit which should be added after baking the granola. Also, customize the flavor to your liking by using the suggestions above. 

Now wasn't that easy? Feel free to double this recipe too. What mix-ins do you like in your granola? Do you prefer granola for breakfast or as a snack? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

For more easy-to-make and delicious recipes don't forget to follow MommySuburbia. 

5 Easter Dinner Ideas That Are Sure To Please Your Guests

For most of us, Easter dinner is an important tradition usually celebrated with family and friends. Finding the perfect main dish to serve can be challenging but not this year because I am going to provide several delicious ideas that you serve for your Easter dinner.  

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For years we have hosted a big Easter dinner at our house after church with our friends and family. Since we have a blended group of people I always try to make sure the meal is something appealing to everyone including the kids. Of course, everyone helps by bringing a dish to pass but my job is preparing the main dish.  

Ham is the most popular main dish served on Easter and since my family loves spiral ham I always make sure that this is one of the main dishes served at our Easter feast. But not everyone loves ham so over the years I've done a lot of prep work looking for good alternatives to serve for Easter dinner alongside the ham. 

Since I've done the homework already I thought today I would share with you some great recipes I've made for Easter dinner. Of course, I'm including my family's favorite spiral ham recipe in this roundup as well as some other amazing ham recipes plus some great alternative main dish recipes you could serve for dinner too. 

5 Easter Dinner Ideas That Will Please A Crowd

Traditional Roasted Turkey

via: Neighbor Food Blog

Now don't get scared by this one if you have never roasted a turkey before. This recipe by Neighbor Food Blog is super simple and the turkey turns out so moist and flavorful. I actually just made this recipe over the weekend to test it out and I have to say the recipe was easy to follow, simple to make and the turkey turned out perfectly. I would give it a 5-star rating it was that good! 

I baked this in my roasting pan and followed the directions exactly as the recipe was written. My whole family loved it just as much as I! 

One tip Courtney from Neighbor Food Blog recommends and I agree with is using a real meat thermometer and not relying on the little plastic one the bird comes with. Meat thermometers are an excellent kitchen tool that aren't too expensive and I highly recommend everyone should have one in their kitchen. 

Ginger-Honey Roasted Pork Tenderloin

via: The Chunky Chef

This recipe can either be made in the crockpot or roasted in the oven. I've tried both ways and they both result in a deliciously flavorful meal. Roasting in the oven always gives pork tenderloin a crispy blackened outside layer which I love! The Chunky Chef's recipe has a wonderful flavor and easy-to-follow recipe directions. 

For those new to roasting pork tenderloin please keep in mind that the pork is done when the internal temperature reaches 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit. Since this is pork (and not chicken) when you slice into it the meat will have a pinkish hue which is how it should look. Just rely on the internal temperature from the meat thermometer to know when your pork tenderloin is ready. 

Maple Orange Bourbon Glazed Ham

via: Food Network

Are you ready? Because this ham recipe from Food Network is going to knock your socks off! The sweet maple and orange mingle nicely with bourbon flavor to send this ham's flavor through the roof. If you don't have orange marmalade you can substitute apricot preserves without much change to the flavor. Also, if you aren't a fan of maple flavor go ahead and use honey instead. Cooking time for the recipe is spot on which makes it handy when trying to plan a big Easter feast. 

If you haven't guessed already this is my family's favorite ham recipe. It is requested every year and of course, because I love my family so much I comply and make this delicious ham recipe every Easter.

Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken

via: Punchbowl

Chicken is an inexpensive budget-friendly alternative to a traditional turkey dinner. Since whole chickens are usually smaller than a full turkey they cook up a lot faster too. This recipe from Punchbowl compliments the chicken's flavor with herbs and citrus. It is truly a wonderful main dish to serve for Easter and it looks great with sliced lemons and oranges arranged on a serving platter too.  

Tender Pot Roast 

via: The Novice Chef

This may not sound like a traditional Easter main dish but after you give this recipe from The Novice Chef a try you won't think twice about serving this to your guests for Easter. Since this is a crockpot recipe you won't tie up your stove all day making it so go ahead and add another oven-baked side dish to your menu too. 

The meat is so tender after cooking for hours in the crockpot you won't have much work to do prepping it for the platter plus you can make the gravy right in the crockpot once the roast is removed. Don't you love recipes that don't require extra pots and pans resulting in more dirty dishes? 

More Inspiring Easter Ideas

10 Delicious Deserts to Serve on Easter

10 Easter Tablescape Ideas

5 Delicous Holiday Ham Recipes 

10 Easter Egg Decorating Ideas To Do With Kids

I hope these Easter dinner ideas have given you some inspiration as you begin planning for your holiday feast. Does your family have any Easter traditions? I'd love to hear what your traditions are for the Easter holiday. Please share your ideas and thoughts by leaving a comment below. 

Happy Easter! 

10 Delicious Sweet Bread Recipes

Are you a huge bread fan? When I'm in the mood for something sweet to satisfy my sweet tooth cravings a sweet bread recipe is usually all it takes to get the job done! Sweetbreads are usually a one bowl - one pan recipe that whips up fairly fast and makes your kitchen smell amazing while baking. The hardest part about making sweet bread is choosing which kind to make! 

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks!

If your sweet tooth is really throwing a fit here are some great sweet bread recipes I found that I think will help satisfy that pesky problem. You may as well start the oven pre-heating because I guarantee you're going to want to make one (or more) of these delicious sweetbreads before you finish reading this entire post!

(Here is my favorite loaf pan and cooling rack I use every time I bake a loaf of sweet bread!)

Make sure to Pin this post for later so you can try all ten of these delicious recipes! Follow me on Pinterest for more great recipes and inspirational ideas too. 

10 Quick, Easy & Delicious Sweet Bread Recipes

#1 Chocolate Banana Bread

Are you a chocolate lover? If you are then this chocolate banana bread by Two Peas & Their Pod will knock your socks off - it is that good! Moist, super chocolaty, and easy to make is the best way to describe this sweet bread. Serve it for brunch alongside a bowl of mixed fresh fruit or as an after-dinner dessert and I guarantee no one will complain!

Two Peas & Their Pod

#2 Blueberry Muffin Bread

This sweet blueberry muffin bread from Buns In My Oven, is loaded with plump fresh blueberries cut into big slices with a sugary glaze dripping down the side. Isn't this the perfect partner for your cup of coffee? Blueberry muffin bread makes a great gift for a new mom or even a holiday gift for a friend. 

Make sure to fold in the blueberries so you don't smash them and end up with blue colored bread! A wooden spoon or spatula does the best job at folding in berries. 

Buns In My Oven

#3 Pumpkin Gingerbread

The Live-In Kitchen has the best Pumpkin Gingerbread recipe EVER! Sweet pumpkin and spicy gingerbread flavors pare well in this one-pan loaf. A little sprinkle of turbinado sugar gives the top a sweet crunchy texture as you devour your first slice. This is the perfect fall recipe to kick off the season along with your pumpkin spice latte. 

Live-In Kitchen

#4 Spiced-Peach Bread

Imagine chunks of sweet peaches mixed together with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg baked into perfect harmony. Delicious is exactly what this recipe from The View From Great Island accomplishes! Spiced peaches are the stars in this loaf which I'm sure will quickly become a family favorite. 

The View From Great Island

#5 Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread

Hold your horses because this bread is about to take you for a ride! This cinnamon swirl apple fritter bread recipe from Home Is Where The Boat Is amazing! Truly amazing! It is like a cinnamon roll married an apple fritter and this truly wonderful bread is their offspring. It is a marriage made in heaven if you ask me. 

Home Is Where The Boat Is

#6 Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread

My family loves this recipe and I love it because it is a great way to use up all the zucchini our garden yielded this past year. I even keep bags of frozen zucchini in the freezer to use throughout the winter months to make this bread or to add to soup recipes. This bread smells and tastes like warm, fresh from the oven snickerdoodle cookies! 

Mommy Suburbia

#7  Chocolate Cherry Quick Bread

Chocolate and cherries go together so well and this chocolate cherry quick bread from Butter With A Side of Bread brings that combo together in all the right ways. The chocolate drizzle on top is optional but honestly who wouldn't want a little extra chocolate is given the choice? 

Butter With a Side of Bread

# 8 Peanut-Butter Bread

Think peanut butter cookie turned into a bread loaf and you have this delicious peanut butter bread from A Pretty Life In The Suburbs. This bread is sweet on its own but don't hesitate to add a smear of your favorite jelly or preserves before gobbling it up. 

A Pretty Life In The Suburbs

#9 Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

Ooey-gooey bursts of semi-sweet chocolate baked into this chocolate chip loaf sweet bread is all you need to satisfy your craving for something sweet. Because this recipe is so easy to make you can let your kids give it a try all on their own (depending on their age!!). My middle schooler has really been showing an interest in baking and this recipe was the perfect one for him to try out. Good news - it turned out perfectly and he was so proud of himself! Simply yummy!

Julia's Cuisine

# 10 Super Easy Banana Bread        

I love banana bread! To me, it is the perfect mid-afternoon snack alongside a cup of tea. I've been making this particular banana bread recipe from Spend With Pennies for years and have the recipe memorized - I could probably make it with my eyes closed! Now I want to warn you before you go reading through the ingredient list - not to run away scared when you see Mayo listed as one of the ingredients. It might sound weird at first but really if you think about what mayo is made from, eggs and oil you will begin to realize that the mayo takes the place of the eggs and oil in the recipe. I swear this recipe makes the moistest, most flavorful banana bread ever (and trust me you won't taste the mayo)! 

I usually add a little crumble topping to mine by mixing a few tablespoons of oatmeal, brown sugar and chunks of butter into a crumble and spreading it on top before baking. If you want to cut down on the calories you can exclude this and it won't change a thing - the bread will still be amazing! 

Spend With Pennies

Did this roundup of tasty sweet bread recipes whet your appetite? I know I'm ready for a fresh loaf of sweet bread - my oven is pre-heating and I'm working on baking another loaf of sweet bread as we speak! 

What one are you going to make? Do you have a family favorite sweet bread recipe you would like to share? I'd love to hear from you so please leave me a comment!

Bon Appetit!

More Delicious Recipes

Here are some more delicious recipes I think you might like:

• The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

• The Best Homemade Carmel Corn & Kettle Corn

• Easy No-Bake Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers

Easy No-Bake Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers

Looking for an easy, no-bake dessert that you can make in under 30 minutes? These no-bake chocolate covered graham crackers whip up fast and taste amazing! Around the holidays I forgot to make a dessert for a get-together and ended up making a batch of these to bring. Everyone LOVED them, adults and kids!

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

The possibilities to customize them are endless too! You could decorate the tops with whatever toppings you have on hand like:

• sprinkles, 
• M & M's, 
• crushed candy canes, 
• crushed Oreo cookies, 
• chopped nuts (walnuts, peanuts, cashews)
• drizzle white chocolate (or any other color chocolate)  across the top
• sea salt

My mouth is just watering as I write this! 

Because they were such a big hit at the holiday gathering we attended I thought of a few more ways to use these easy no-bake treats. They make the perfect addition to a gift basket or as a stand-alone gift wrapped in a cellophane wrapper and topped with a tied ribbon or bow. You could customize the colors of the sprinkles you use and serve them during a sporting event like a Super Bowl party to match your favorite team's colors. These sweet treats could also be used as party favors for a baby shower or bridal shower!

Before I ramble on any further how about we make a batch of these tasty no-bake treats! 

No-Bake Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers

Ingredients:

1. Pre-packaged graham crackers broken in half
2. Chocolate almond bark
3. Toppings of your choice (see all my ideas above!)
4. Parchment paper or non-stick silicone baking mat

Instructions:

Melt the chocolate bark according to the package directions (I have had great success melting it in the microwave). Once the chocolate is melted place one graham cracker square into the melted chocolate flat side down. 

Using a fork, gently flip the graham cracker over to coat the other side with chocolate. Take your fork and lift the chocolate-coated graham cracker out of the bowl and set it on a piece of parchment paper or a non-stick silicone baking mat. 

Before the chocolate hardens sprinkle your chosen toppings over the graham cracker. Let the chocolate-coated graham crackers harden completely before serving or packaging. Store in an airtight container. 

My family is such big chocolate lovers that I actually have to hide these treats so that they don't inhale them in 5 seconds! 

I've gotten really good at hiding chocolate. Can you keep a secret? Here are some of my secret hiding spots where I stash chocolate: inside the cabinets in my laundry room, the vegetable drawer in the fridge, and inside and empty (and unplugged) crockpot. Where do you keep your chocolate stash? 

If you have a sweet tooth like mine you are always looking for recipes to satisfy your cravings! The chocolate-covered graham crackers will definitely satisfy the sweet craving but if you are looking for something sweet but not chocolaty then you have to try my recipe for homemade caramel corn! It is the BEST and super easy too! 

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn

Simple Valentine's Day Cupid's Arrow Craft

Valentine's Day always puts me in the mood to craft! Traditionally Valentine's Day is meant to be a day to express your love to your significant other so why not get in the mood with a simple love-themed craft?

By the time February rolls around most of us are feeling a strong case of cabin fever and need a little boost to tide us over until spring arrives. Crafting can do just that - give you a winter blah boost! 

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please see my Disclaimer page. Thanks!

Today I'm sharing a really cute DIY Valentine's Day Cupid's Arrow craft. They can be used as table decorations, mounted on a canvas for wall art, or given as a candy-free gift. 

This craft is so super simple and would be fun to do with kids too. 

Cupid's Arrow Supply List:

Felt sheets (any color!)

hot glue & glue gun

8"-10" long skinny stick or twig

ribbon or baker's twine

scissors

Tutorial Instructions:

1. From the felt cut the following: 

• cut two -  2" x  2" x 2" triangle for the arrowhead
• cut two - 4" x 2" rectangles for the arrow fletching (these are the feather-like tails on an arrow)

2. Place one arrow piece face side down and then add a bead of hot glue down the middle of the triangle. Quickly place one end of the stick on the hot glue making sure the stick doesn't poke past the tip of the triangle. Then run another bead of hot glue along the top edge of the stick above the section that is glued to the bottom triangle. Place the second triangle on top of the stick, right side up making sure it is lined up with the bottom triangle. Put a dab of hot glue on the inside of each of the triangle points and press closed. 

3. Cut a triangle shape out of the long end of each rectangular piece of felt. On the other side of each rectangle felt piece cut off the top two corner edges. See the picture below for an example:

4. Place one piece of fletching face down and then run a bead of glue down the center. Quickly press the other end of the stick onto the glue. Run a bead of hot glue along the top side of the stick and put the second piece of felt fletching on top of the stick matching up the bottom piece of felt. Spread open the top and bottom edges of the felt along and run a bead of glue along the stick pressing the felt closed around the stick. Do this on both sides. 

5. Cut small upward-facing slits along both sides of the fletching to give it a feather-like appearance.

6. (optional) Tie a piece of ribbon or baker's twine around the stick just above the fletching.

 

Congratulations you are all done! Here are some great ideas to style your new Valentine Cupid Arrows:

• stick them face-up/face-down into a large glass vase and display it on your mantel or as a centerpiece

• tie a long piece of twine to each arrow and hang them in a window or along your mantel like a banner

• hot glue each arrow in alternating patterns to a canvas for a piece of wall art

• attach an arrow to the top of a gift instead of a bow

Valentine's Day Crafts

Since we are talking about Valentine's Day check out these great posts for more inspiration:

Heart-Shaped Watercolor Postcards 

10 DIY Valentine Cards For Kids

Heart Shaped Quilt Block Roundup

Make Your Own Flower Seed Bombs