Looking for a fun alternative to slime that’s both easy to make and safe for toddlers? This 2-ingredient yogurt silly putty is super stretchy, borax-free, and takes under 5 minutes to make. And the best part? It’s totally edible!

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There are so many things to do when you have kids at home that spending hours planning activities is just 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 still 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. Keep this one on hand for the next time your child is looking for something fun to do!
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Required Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make a batch of non-toxic silly putty for your kids using only 2 ingredients:
- Plain or flavored yogurt
- Food coloring (or your favorite natural alternative)
- Cornstarch (also called “corn flour” in Australia and the U.K.)
While this silly putty is taste-safe and made from edible ingredients, it doesn’t taste very good, even if you use flavored yogurt. (We only had vanilla in the fridge.) I also wouldn’t recommend letting your child eat large quantities of it because eating too much cornstarch could give them upset stomachs.
But I love knowing that if they do decide to take a few nibbles, there’s nothing to worry about!
How to Make Edible Yogurt Silly Putty (Step-by-Step)
1. Add Food Coloring to Yogurt
Start by placing ¾ cup (6 oz) of yogurt in a bowl and adding a few drops of food coloring. The color will dull a bit after you add the cornstarch, so make sure you add a few extra drops to ensure that the color stays nice and vibrant.
2. Add Cornstarch
Mix in 1 cup of cornstarch, adding a bit at a time and stirring until smooth.
Keep stirring until all the cornstarch has been mixed in and the dough feels smooth.
3. Knead Silly Putty
Grab the ball of yogurt dough and knead it a few times with your hands until it no longer feels sticky. If it continues to feel sticky, add a bit more cornstarch and knead it into the dough; if it feels too dry, add a bit more yogurt.
Once you’re satisfied with the consistency of the silly putty, it’s time to play! Give it to your child and allow them to explore. (Didn’t I tell you this would be easy?)
This yogurt silly putty actually has a really unique texture that I absolutely loved. At first I felt that it was behaving more like play dough, but as we played with it, it became really stretchy and started to behave like slime.
Thankfully, unlike slime, this silly putty doesn’t contain any borax or other toxic ingredients that would make it unsafe for babies and toddlers. This makes it a great alternative if your older kids are playing with “big kid” slime and your younger kids want to participate!
Note: We were able to store ours in the fridge for a couple days and reuse it a few times before we threw it in the compost, but of course, your ability to do this will depend on how long it stays out of the fridge and how filthy it gets during play.
Edible Yogurt Silly Putty
Ingredients
- ¾ cup yogurt
- food coloring as needed
- 1 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Place yogurt in a bowl and mix in a few drops of food coloring.
- Add cornstarch and stir with a spoon until combined.
- Knead until dough is smooth and no longer feels sticky, adding more yogurt or cornstarch as needed. Play immediately. Store in an airtight container in the fridge when not in use.
Video
Notes
Related Taste-Safe Sensory Recipes
Looking for more fun sensory activities that are safe for younger kids? Check out these articles:
- Edible Marshmallow Play Dough
- Edible Frosting Play Dough
- Edible Marshmallow Fluff Slime
- Taste-Safe Psyllium Husk Slime
- Edible Tapioca Water Beads
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