A fun and noisy combination of science and fun! This homemade noise putty is easy to make, using only 3 ingredients, and kids love it. A great rainy day activity.
For those of you who are dying to make your own noise putty, here ya go! We made this when we lived in Kodiak for the kids, and also the little boy I babysat. The next day, his mom said that his dad had just as much fun playing with it as he did! This recipe came from an old kids magazine that I had. They called it “Glurch” which is kind of an appropriate name too. It really makes the best noise.
If you are looking for slime that stretches, this isn’t it. This has a lot of texture to it, and is meant to be stuffed into a cup to make noise.
Homemade Noise Putty (aka “Fart Putty”)
Borax
When we first made this in 2007 nobody had any worry about using Borax. Now I see recipes all over the place calling for contact solution or other liquids instead. We’ve been making this exact recipe for years without any problems, and basically using the same box of Borax that I bought the first time we made it. It’s inexpensive, and you only use about a teaspoon so one box will last forever!
Many recipes claim to be Borax-free by using contact solution. But contact solution has Borax in it (Boric acid). That’s what makes the putty set up. Contact solution saves the step of having to mix water and borax together, so if you’d like to use it for convenience go ahead! Regardless, you’ll end up with a cup full of noisy putty.
I gave this post a refresh, updating some of the images, and just couldn’t part with these photo. I mean, if that isn’t the look of sheer joy—what is? And what happened to my babies? They are teenagers and driving now!
Note: The recipe below is for a full batch. Great if you are making this with two kids, who would each like their own cup of putty, but if you are making this with one child a half recipe is plenty.
Homemade Noise Putty (Fart Putty)
A fun and noisy combination of science and fun! This homemade noise putty is easy to make, using only 3 ingredients, and kids love it. A great rainy day activity.
Print Pin Rate Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Cost: $2
Equipment
- bowl
- popsicle stick or spoon
- measuring cup
- measuring spoon
Materials
- 1 c. white glue Elmer's, Tacky, etc.
- 1 c. water
- food coloring
- 1 c. warm water
- 1 1/2 tsp. borax powder
Instructions
- Mix glue with water in a bowl.
- Add a couple of drops of food coloring, if desired. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix warm water with Borax.
- Add to glue/water mixture, 1 tsp. at a time, and stir for 1 minute. It will go from liquid to a nasty stringy mass.
- Work putty with your hands until it isn't sticky anymore.
- Shove putty into a small cup. A narrow cup with tall sides works will for friction. Friction is what makes the putty noisy when you put your fingers into it.
Notes
Store in an airtight container or plastic bag.
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Can you make it with the stic glue?
Like glue sticks? I’m not sure I understand which type of glue you are asking about, sorry! White liquid glue (like Elmer’s) works the best.
I’m so thankful to have found your recipe. He had the noise putty from an arcade and it fell on the ground outside so it was ruined. We googled and found your blog. You are such a lifesaver! Thanks for what you do!! We are going to try the rock candy next.
Yay! That stuff is like magic for kids and just plain funny too 🙂
Have you tried using liquid borax instead of powdered?
I haven’t! Honestly, I didn’t know they made liquid Borax! I know some recipes call for liquid starch so it may work!
Ours came out super pretty, but not stringy and gooey like we had wanted. It was think and almost kind of dry, like broke when you tried to stretch it. What did we do wrong?
Hi Megan! This is kind of more of a noise putty so it’s thicker and when you put it in a cup and poke it, it makes “farting” sounds. If you’re looking for traditional slime, you might like this recipe: https://www.skiptomylou.org/how-to-make-slime/ It’s more stretchy!
This worked with any glue for me! I liked this a lot thanks for making this Brendy!