This Chia Goop recipe is a winner if you’re looking for a great way to keep little hands busy with safe, natural, and delightfully gooey texture play.

I’ve learned that simple ingredients often bring the biggest joy. And this edible slime recipe is perfect for younger toddlers, curious preschoolers, and even older kids who still love sensory fun.

Unlike traditional slimes, which often contain glue and chemicals, chia goop is made from food-based ingredients like a cup of chia seeds, water, and food coloring, or natural food coloring, if you prefer. It’s a wonderful way to encourage sensory exploration, boost fine motor skills, and support hand-eye coordination without the worry of harsh ingredients.

How to Make Chia Goop for Safe and Fun Sensory Play

Why You’ll Love Chia Goop for Sensory Activities

Chia goop is sometimes called chia seed slime, is a great option for parents and caregivers who want safe, taste-safe tactile play.

Here’s why it’s a favorite:

Simple ingredients you likely already have on hand
Completely taste-safe for younger kids and younger toddlers
Provides a soft, soothing gel-like texture similar to chia seed pudding
Offers days of play when stored properly
Allows fun setups in a sensory bin or sensory tray
Encourages hands-on activities with small items, small toys, or nature treasures
Easier cleanup compared to glue-based slimes

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How to Make Chia Goop for Safe and Fun Sensory Play

This Chia Goop recipe is a winner if you’re looking for a great way to keep little hands busy with safe, natural, and delightfully gooey texture play.

Prep Time5

Active Time0

Resting time2

Total Time2 5

Yield: cups

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Equipment

Mixing Bowls

Storage Containers

Materials

1 Cup Chia Seeds black or white chia seeds
3 Cups Water cold or room temp
3 Drops Food Coloring of your choice
Optional: 1–2 teaspoons cornstarch for thickening

Instructions

How to Make Chia Goop (Edible Chia Slime Recipe)

Mix the Seeds. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of chia seeds with 3 cups of water. Stir well.
1 Cup Chia Seeds, 3 Cups Water
Add a few drops of your favorite food coloring to the chia seed mixture. Mix until fully combined. Optional: 1–2 teaspoons cornstarch. If you plan on using the slime quickly. If letting it sit overnight, the cornstarch shouldn't be needed.
3 Drops Food Coloring, Optional: 1–2 teaspoons cornstarch
Let It Hydrate. Cover the bowl and let it sit: 20–30 minutes for light hydration, 2–3 hours for thicker goop, Overnight for maximum gooey texture
Adjust the Texture. If it’s too thick, stir in a little extra water. If it’s too runny, sprinkle in corn starch and mix again.
Play Time. Transfer it to a sensory bin or sensory tray, and let the fun begin.

Notes

Variation. You can also make a similar slime using basil seeds, but the texture will be slightly different.

How Long to Let the Chia Goop Rest?

Chia goop has a thick, squishy, gel-like texture—somewhere between hair gel, tapioca pudding, and a loose slime. The exact thickness depends on soaking time and water ratio, but here’s what to expect:

After 20–30 minutes

Still pretty runny
Feels like watery gel
Seeds are just starting to hydrate
Great for scooping, pouring, and “splashy” sensory play

After 2–3 hours

Medium-thick, like loose chia pudding
Scoops well with spoons and cups
Still stretchy but not sticky
Perfect for most sensory bins and little hands

After Overnight Hydration

Thickest stage
Feels like cool, wobbly slime
Holds shape better, similar to soft jelly
Still easily manipulated by younger kids

If You Want It Thicker

Add:

1–2 teaspoons corn starch, or
Let it sit longer, or
Reduce the cups of water slightly

If You Want It Looser

Add:

A splash of warm water
More stirring to loosen the gel

⭐ Clean-Up Tips (So You Don’t Grow Chia Seeds in Your House!)

Chia goop is taste-safe and fun, but cleanup matters. Because if chia seeds stay damp and get trapped in cracks, fabrics, or carpet fibers, they will start sprouting. (Ask me how I know…)

Be sure to clean up extremely thoroughly or else anything and everything is liable to become a ch-ch-ch-chia pet.

Here’s how to make cleanup easy and sprout-free:

Let Everything Dry First

If the chia goop has gotten on the table, floor, highchair, or sensory tray edges, let it dry completely before wiping.
Dry seeds sweep up much easier than wet ones.

When it dries you can just vacuum it out.

Use a Damp Cloth for Final Wipe

Once the dried seeds are brushed away, wipe the area with a warm, damp cloth to remove the last bit of residue.

Rinse Items Immediately

Scoops, spoons, bowls, and toys should be rinsed right away with warm water, before the seeds have time to stick or gel further.

Avoid Draining Large Amounts Down the Sink

Chia expands in water, so pour the bulk of the leftover goop into the trash—not the drain—to avoid plumbing issues.

If Chia Gets on Clothing

Shake off as much as possible
Rinse under warm water
Let the chia slime dry on clothes and brush it off before putting clothes in the washer.
Wash as usual

Just avoid tossing damp chia-covered clothes into a laundry basket for later—those little seeds love to sprout in dark, moist places.

Carpet or Rug Cleanup

If chia hits the rug:

Let it dry completely
Vacuum thoroughly
Spot clean with warm soapy water if needed
Outdoor Cleanup Bonus

If the weather is nice, hose off tools outside. Any stray chia seeds that land in the grass will sprout harmlessly and disappear quickly.

Fun Ways to Play with Chia Goop

Chia goop is incredibly versatile. Here are some great ways to use it:

1. Small Toy Rescue

Add small toys or small items for kids to dig out. Fantastic for fine motor skills.

2. Color Mixing Play

Divide your goop into smaller bowls and tint each with different food coloring. Kids can swirl and mix them together.

3. Hidden Treasure Eggs

Place goop inside plastic Easter eggs for a surprise reveal activity.

4. Sensory Bin Ocean

Tint the chia slime blue and add sea animals for calming sensory exploration.

5. Nature Play

Add rocks, sticks, pinecones, or leaves for earthy, homestead-style hands-on activities.

Is chia goop safe for toddlers?

Yes! Because it’s made from edible ingredients, it’s a great option for younger toddlers who still mouth everything. Still, supervise closely.

How long does chia goop last?

Stored in a sealable container in the fridge, it lasts 2–4 days. The next day, the texture may thicken—just add a splash of warm water and stir.

How do I fix goop that’s too thick?

Add a little extra water and mix thoroughly.

How do I fix goop that’s too runny?

Sprinkle in corn starch or add more hydrated chia seeds.

Can I use this for a classroom or therapy session?

Absolutely. Chia goop is ideal for sensory activities because it’s safe, easy to store, and offers an amazing gel-like texture that keeps kids engaged.

What if my child has allergies?

Chia is generally safe, but double-check for sensitivities—especially if they haven’t eaten chia seed pudding or similar foods before.

Can I use basil seeds instead of chia seeds?

Yes,basil seeds hydrate similarly and create a slightly different but still delightful gooey texture.

What’s the difference between chia goop and traditional slimes?

Traditional slimes typically require glue and borax, while chia goop uses simple ingredients and is safe if ingested.

Does this stain?

Using too much food coloring may stain temporarily. Gel coloring tends to stain less.

Can I add scents?

If you want a light scent, use kid-safe flavor extracts (like vanilla). Avoid oils. They prevent the chia from gelling properly.

Toddler Hand Squishing Sensory Chia Seed Slime

Storage Tips

Keep it in a sealable container in the fridge.
Add a splash of warm water before the next day’s play.
Always discard if it smells sour or looks off.

Chia goop is one of the easiest, safest, and most budget-friendly sensory activities you can make at home. Whether you’re using it for younger kids, older kids, homeschool, hands-on activities, or just a rainy-day project, it’s a great way to encourage creativity, imagination, and tactile learning with minimal effort.

How to Make Chia Goop for Safe and Fun Sensory Play

Why You’ll Love Chia Goop for Sensory Activities