Edible Chia Seed Slime – A Fun, Messy Way to Explore New Textures

by Alex Turnbull, RDN, LD | May 13, 2025

If you’re a parent of a picky eater, you know how difficult mealtimes can be, especially when there’s foods involved that your kids don’t like. But what if exploring new foods didn’t have to involve actually eating them – at least not right away?

Sometimes the best way to help kids feel more comfortable around new foods is to simply to let them play with it – yes, I just gave you permission to let your kids play with food, with boundaries, of course.

This edible chia seed slime is a fun, hands-on sensory activity that introduces new textures without any pressure to taste. However, if there is a nibble here and there, this slime is completely taste-safe.

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Why Sensory Play Helps Picky Eaters

Picky eating often goes beyond just “not liking” certain foods. Many picky eaters experience sensory sensitivities, meaning certain textures, smells, and even the look of foods can feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. Sensory play gives kids the opportunity to explore these sensations at their own pace—without the pressure of eating it.

By touching, squeezing, poking, and playing with different textures, kids are able to become familiar with how things feel, which helps them be more comfortable around them. While today they might only play with something squishy or sticky, down the road, they might be more willing to taste soft, sticky fruit or veggies, or take a lick of yogurt, a new sauce, or dip -because they’ve already experienced the texture through play.

Ingredients for Edible Chia Slime

Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds absorb liquid to create the thick, squishy texture that makes this slime fun and safe for little taste-testers. Find chia seeds in the baking aisle, by the nuts and seeds, or grab them here.

Water: Hydrates the chia seeds and helps them form that signature gel-like consistency. Chia seeds can absorb up to 10 times their weight in liquid!

Cornstarch: Helps thicken the slime and reduce stickiness for a less messier experience. Find cornstarch in the baking aisle by the baking soda.

Food Coloring: Optional, but adds a fun pop of color to make the activity more exciting. If you’re avoiding artificial colors, here’s my favorite brand!

How to Make Edible Chia Seed Slime

Hydrate the Chia Seeds: Mix the chia seeds and water in a bowl. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight until it forms a thick gel. This is a fun process for kids to experience.

Add Cornstarch: Stir in the cornstarch gradually. Start with ½ cup and add more as needed until the slime becomes thick, stretchy, and easy to handle.

Add Color: Stir in a few drops of food coloring to make it visually fun. Want multiple colors? Divide the edible chia seed slime after adding the cornstarch, and mix different colors into each batch.

Play Time: Scoop it out onto a tray, baking sheet, or play mat and let the kids explore! Keep in mind that although the cornstarch does help keep the slime from sticking to much to your hands, it will leave a cornstarch residue on your hands or any surface that can easily be washed off.

This edible chia seed slime isn’t like your typical glue-based slime you may have made at home. It feels cool, wet and runs through your fingers like a liquid, but then easily forms a squishy ball when pressed together.

Additional Add-Ins for Extra Fun

Sprinkles – Add an additional sensory sensation with crunchy, colorful sprinkles.
Edible glitter – Safe sparkle for extra excitement.
Kid-safe scents – A little vanilla or a splash of citrus extract adds another sensory element.
Cookie cutters, scoops, and small toys – Great for pretend play and building little creations.

The Reality of Homemade Slime

Full transparency – this edible chia seed slime is not a mess-free project. There will be messy hands, sticky counters, and probably a few chia seeds found on your floor But that’s the fun of it!

If you go into these activities with the right mindset, the mess is less frustrating. Lay down a play mat, head outside, or set expectations that cleanup is part of the activity.

Also, keep in mind that this homemade slime won’t last as long as the store-bought kind. And that’s okay—both have their place! While store-bought slime lasts longer and has its own fun textures, this edible version is perfect for a safe, short-term sensory play, and also fun to make!

Storage Tips:

Store any leftover edible chia seed slime in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It will keep for about 2 to 3 days before the texture starts to change.
If it gets hard, just add a splash of water and mix with your hands until desired consistency.

How Long Does Edible Chia Seed Slime Last?

Because this slime is taste-safe and made with food-based ingredients, it won’t last as long as store-bought slime. You can store your chia seed slime in an airtight container in the fridge for roughly 2-3 days.

While this recipe is technically edible and will keep longer than 2-3 days, it’s only “taste-safe” during those couple of days after it’s made and stored correctly.

Over time, the slime will harden, but you can add a little water and mix it a little to bring it back to your desired consistency.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re helping a picky eater get more comfortable with textures or just looking for a kid-friendly activity, this edible chia seed slime offers a fun, hands-on experience. It’s not about replacing store-bought options or stressing over ingredients—it’s about giving kids the chance to explore, play, and maybe even become more comfortable with strange and new textures. And if nothing else, you’ll have some great messy memories to look back on!