toys

The Best Slime to Buy for Every Kind of Person

Photo: Tara Moore/Getty Images

According to trend forecasters, slime is still one of the most popular toys around. Kids love it, but there’s also a growing number of adults who find the gooey stuff extremely fun, creative, and calming. When we recently talked to toy experts Marissa DiBartolo, editor-in-chief of the Toy Insider; Chris Byrne, a.k.a. the Toy Guy; and Adrienne Appell of the Toy Association for a story about 2019’s hottest toys, they all enthusiastically mentioned slime as something to stock up on in addition to toys from Frozen 2, new L.O.L. Surprise dolls, and the ever-popular Hatchimals.

According to our panel of experts, this holiday season the slime universe is expanding — just this week the Sloomoo Institute, an experiential slime museum, opened in New York City. There visitors can play with slime, shoot it through a slingshot, and create their own unique DIY slime batches. Appell says that due to the slime craze, we’re now seeing a ton of slime variations, including “kinetic sand, dough, putty, and other compounds.” She also told us to be on the lookout for unboxing toys that are combining all of the different varieties. To help you navigate the wide new world of slime, we picked out the 17 best slime products you can buy right now on Amazon, for everyone you know.

For your nieces and nephews who keep saying they’re bored

For your sister who’s stressed at work

For your mom who’s never tried slime

For tweens who love Buckyballs

For your ice-cream-obsessed dad

For your friend with warm hands

For the kid who’s into secret messages

For fans of Dr. Pimple Popper

For the grade-schooler obsessed with dinosaurs

For the grade-schooler obsessed with unicorn poop

For goth teens

For science nerds of all ages

For kindergartners who can’t stop fidgeting

For your winter-loving brother who just moved to L.A.

For slimers who are also fans of ASMR

For parents who worry about slime’s sticky mess

For kids who already have every kind of slime imaginable

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

The Best Slime for Every Kind of Person