Looking for a fun alternative to slime that’s both easy to prep and safe for toddlers? This edible yogurt silly putty is super stretchy, borax-free, and takes under 5 minutes to make—and it only requires 2 simple ingredients!
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There are so many things to do when you have kids at home that spending hours planning activities is often not feasible. So having a few activities in your repertoire that require little to no prep time is a must.
This homemade silly putty only takes a few minutes to make, and because it is made from just two edible ingredients, it is safe for little ones who like to put everything in their mouths.
It is also no-cook and gluten-free, and is a fantastic alternative to glue-based slime for kids who are still too young to play with it!
Why You’ll Love This Activity
- Easy to prep: This recipe couldn’t be simpler to make, and comes together in under 5 minutes, with no cooking or heating required. Your kids will be playing in no time!
- Simple ingredients: You’ll only need two simple ingredients to make this edible silly putty, and you probably already have them at home.
- Non-toxic: Unlike regular slime, this non-toxic silly putty doesn’t contain any borax or other chemicals that would make it unsafe for babies or toddlers. This makes it a great option for when your older kids are playing with “big kid” slime and your younger kids want to feel included!
- Taste-safe, but not tasty: While this silly putty is taste-safe and made from edible ingredients, it doesn’t taste very good, so your kids shouldn’t actively want to eat it.
- Cool texture: This yogurt silly putty has a really unique texture that I absolutely love! It feels more like play dough at first, then becomes really stretchy and starts to behave like slime.
Looking for more taste-safe activities for your kids? Check out these Edible Play Dough Recipes, these Taste-Safe Sensory Bin Fillers or this big list of Taste-Safe Sensory Play Ideas!
Required Ingredients
- Yogurt: I used cheap Balkan yogurt that happened to be on sale at the grocery store, but whatever you have at home is fine. Plain or flavored will both work, as will regular and Greek—though thicker yogurt will impact the texture of the silly putty, and you may need to add a bit of liquid to compensate.
- Cornstarch: You may know this as “corn flour” if you live in the U.K. or Australia. Do not substitute all-purpose flour, as it will not produce the same results. Other starches, like potato starch, tapioca powder or arrowroot powder, should also work.
- Food coloring (optional): Liquid food coloring and gel food coloring will both work, but I prefer gel food coloring because the color is more concentrated, and less is needed to produce a vibrant shade. If you’re not a fan of artificial dyes, you can also use one of these natural food coloring alternatives.
The full ingredient list, quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Edible Yogurt Slime (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Add coloring to yogurt (optional). Pour the yogurt into a medium bowl and stir in a few drops of food coloring. (If you want your putty to be white, skip this step and go straight to the next one.)
Step 2: Add cornstarch. Mix in the cornstarch, adding a little bit at a time and stirring it into the yogurt. Keep stirring until all the cornstarch has been mixed in.
Step 3: Knead silly putty. Grab the ball of yogurt dough and knead it with your hands until the ingredients are fully combined, and the texture feels smooth and elastic.
Step 4: Adjust consistency. If the slime feels sticky, add a bit more cornstarch and knead it in; if it feels too dry, add a bit more yogurt (or a small amount of water). Continue until you are satisfied with the consistency of the silly putty.
Once you’re happy with the consistency of your slime, it’s time to play! Give it to your child and allow them to explore. I love how similar the texture feels to that of regular glue-based slime, despite the fact that it’s made from edible ingredients.
Helpful Tips
- Play around with the texture: The type of yogurt you use will have an impact on the final texture of the slime. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the quantities, or to add a bit of water to stiff putty, in order to achieve the perfect consistency!
- Add some extra coloring (optional): The color will dull a bit after you add the cornstarch, so make sure you add a few extra drops of coloring to the yogurt to ensure that the color stays nice and vibrant.
Storage Instructions
If your slime is still in good condition after your child is done playing with it, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to check for signs of spoilage before you let them play with it again, and discard it immediately if its smell or appearance seem off.
To help the putty last as long as possible and allow for multiple uses, have your child wash their hands before play, make sure you only place it on clean surfaces, and don’t leave it at room temperature for extended periods of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to help!
More Edible Slime Recipes
If you have tried this Edible Yogurt Silly Putty or any other recipe on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Edible Yogurt Silly Putty
Ingredients
- ¾ cup yogurt
- food coloring as needed
- 1 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Pour the yogurt into a medium bowl and stir in a few drops of food coloring. (To create white silly putty, skip this step.)
- Add the cornstarch a little bit at a time, stirring it in with a spoon until well combined with the yogurt.
- Knead the mixture with your hands until the putty is stretchy and smooth, and you are fully satisfied with the texture. If it feels sticky, add a bit more cornstarch; if it feels too dry, add a bit more yogurt (or a small amount of water).
Video
Notes
- Play with the texture: The type of yogurt used will impact the texture of the slime—achieve the perfect consistency by tweaking the quantities of yogurt and cornstarch, or by adding a small amount of water.
- Add extra coloring: To achieve a vibrant color, stir a few extra drops of coloring into the yogurt, as the color will dull once the cornstarch is added.
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