Yes, slime can fly in carry-on and checked bags if it fits the 3-1-1 liquids rule, passes screening, and isn’t made with any restricted chemicals.
Bringing slime on a plane: the ground rules
Think in forms, not brand names. If the texture spreads, smears, or jiggles, treat it like a gel. If it crumbles like putty or cloud dough, treat it as a thick paste. In both cases, your carry-on follows the well known 3-1-1 setup: travel-size containers up to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters, all of them fitting inside one clear quart bag. For the official wording, see the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
| Item or form | Carry-on rule | Checked bag rule |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought slime (sealed jar) | Up to 3.4 oz each inside the quart bag | No size cap; keep lid taped |
| Homemade PVA slime (school glue base) | Up to 3.4 oz; label the jar | Any size in leakproof container |
| Cloud or putty textures | Up to 3.4 oz; still screened as a gel/paste | Any size; double-bag for mess control |
| Magnetic slime | Up to 3.4 oz; tiny magnets are fine | Any size; keep magnets attached to container |
| Glitter slime | Up to 3.4 oz; glitter is allowed | Any size; seal well to avoid spread |
| Foam bead “floam” | Up to 3.4 oz; beads may show in the X-ray | Any size; pad the jar in clothes |
| Scented slime | Up to 3.4 oz; mild scents only on board | Any size; cap tight to contain aroma |
| Loose glitter or mica colorant | Small jars only; may be screened like powders | Better in checked bags to avoid delays |
| Glue, saline, baking soda | Liquids follow 3-1-1; powders may need extra screening on inbound flights to the U.S. | Any size, if household grade |
| Borax powder | Permitted; large amounts can trigger extra screening | Allowed; keep in original bag or a labeled tin |
Labels matter. Write what the jar holds and note “non-toxic.” Clear information helps an officer decide in seconds. Keep dyes and activators in their retail bottles when possible, or print simple labels with the product name. Skip any recipe that calls for solvents, peroxides, or strong cleaners. Those belong at home, not in a pressurized cabin. If a kit includes anything that looks like a lab chemical, leave that bottle sealed in checked luggage and bring the finished slime instead.
Container choices that work
- Wide-mouth plastic jars with smooth threads, so lids close cleanly without cross-threading.
- Silicone-ring canisters with clamp lids for thick putty; the gasket keeps pressure burps inside.
- Snack-size screw-top food tubs for young kids, since they grip better than tiny cosmetic pots.
- Hard-sided soap boxes to corral two or three mini jars together in one block.
Sizes that pack well
Two-ounce jars hit the sweet spot for most lanes and tiny hands.
Can you take slime on a plane with kids?
Yes, and a little planning keeps the day smooth. Pack a single small jar per child, sized for the quart bag. Keep it sealed until cruise altitude, skip mix-ins that shed, and carry wipes. Some airlines prefer no stick-on confetti or rolling beads mid-flight; it’s polite to use a tray liner and clean up before descent. If the jar releases fumes or has a strong perfume, save it for the hotel. The cabin is a shared space and fresh air systems work best when passengers avoid pungent items.
Carry-on packing setup
- Pick travel jars with screw tops and gasketed lids. Test them upside down for a minute at home.
- Fill each jar below the rim to leave space for pressure changes.
- Place the jars in the quart bag with other gels. Keep the bag at the top of your backpack for easy removal.
- Slip a folded zip bag and a few paper towels next to the quart bag. If a jar leaks, you have a quick fix.
- Bring soft wipes for little hands and a flat silicone mat to protect the tray table.
Checked bag packing setup
- Choose rigid containers or place jars inside a small food box. Line with a cloth to prevent rattling.
- Tape lids with painter’s tape so residue peels clean after arrival.
- Double-bag the bundle. Tuck it in the center of the suitcase, surrounded by clothing for cushion.
- Add a slip with your name, phone, and a brief label: “non-toxic slime for kids’ play.” Clear labeling reduces confusion if your bag is opened for inspection.
What security officers look for
Screeners watch for explosives, hazardous chemicals, blades, and items that hide such risks. Slime itself is not the issue; the texture and packaging drive how it is screened. Gels and pastes go in the tray with the quart bag. Large jars in a carry-on lead to a hand check or a refusal at the belt, while small jars ride through most lanes. If you are flying to the U.S. from abroad, larger amounts of powder additives can prompt extra checks at the central checkpoint. The agency explains the powder rule on its site for international flights bound to the U.S., where large powder quantities in carry-on may face extra checks.
Screening triggers with slime
- Opaque jars that block the X-ray image may be opened for a quick swab.
- Metal glitter, short staples, or magnetic particles embedded in slime can look odd on the screen.
- Overfilled jars press goo into the lid; residue on the rim often leads to a wipe test.
- Dozens of small jars in one bag look like a retail shipment and draw questions. Split them across bags.
How to speed up screening
- Place the quart bag in a bin without a jacket on top. Visibility reduces re-runs through the machine.
- Tell the officer up front if you carry craft powders over 12 ounces on an inbound U.S. flight. That saves time during secondary checks.
- Keep original retail packaging for brand-new kits when possible. Factory seals answer many questions.
- Print or save the supplier’s ingredient list. Short lists build trust and help if language barriers arise.
Slime ingredients and tools: safe picks
Classic school-glue slime uses polyvinyl acetate glue, saline solution or contact solution, a pinch of baking soda, and optional dye. These are household items with straightforward screening. Liquids stay inside the quart bag; small powder tubs ride in the main carry-on. The U.S. aviation regulator keeps a clear PackSafe page that spells out when liquids and gels are safe to pack and notes the 3.4-ounce carry-on limit at security. You can read it here: FAA PackSafe guidance.
What about magnetic slime?
Small craft magnets attached to a slime jar are fine in both bags. Keep them stuck to the lid or stored in a tiny case so they do not cling to other objects. Large, strong magnets can interfere with some items and are best left in checked luggage, wrapped in cloth. If a security officer wants a closer look, a quick separation of the magnets from the jar usually clears the stop.
And loose glitter or mica?
Loose sparkle jars bring smiles and sometimes delays. The particles scatter and can look suspicious when piled deep. Pack tiny jars in the carry-on or move bigger amounts to checked bags. If a holiday craft demands sparkle on board, use a premixed glitter slime in a small jar instead of pouring glitter during flight. Your seatmates and the cabin crew will thank you.
Rules outside the U.S.
Most regions mirror the same logic: small containers of gels and pastes in hand luggage, bigger containers in hold luggage if they are safe household goods. Airports across the United Kingdom still use the 100 milliliter hand-luggage limit at many checkpoints, with a few airports trialing scanner-based changes. Before you pack for a trip that starts or connects in Britain, read the current guidance on the UK government site for hand luggage liquids: UK hand luggage liquids.
Troubleshooting at the checkpoint
Most slime jars pass in a minute or two. If you hit a snag, simple fixes work. Use the table below to match the snag with a quick response, then try the line again if you are sent back to re-tray the bag.
| Snag | Likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Please open this jar.” | Opaque or overfilled container | Open, let the swab test finish, then retighten the lid |
| “This exceeds the carry-on limit.” | Container larger than 3.4 oz | Move it to checked luggage or surrender it |
| “We need a secondary check.” | Powders over 12 oz on an inbound U.S. flight | Place powders in a separate bin and answer basic questions |
| Jar leaked in the bag | Headspace too small or lid not sealed | Wipe, rebag, and keep wipe packs at the ready |
| Tray re-scanned twice | Quart bag buried deep in the backpack | Put the quart bag on top of clothing in its own bin |
Smart packing tips that save time
The best kit is the one you can reach with one zip. Keep the quart bag within arm’s reach. A flat pouch on top beats a deep pocket. Pre-portion slime at home; skip airport scooping. If you need extra jars, split the stash across bags, not one tote. That spreads load and keeps each bag light.
Heat changes texture, so keep slime out of hot car trunks before a flight. On summer routes, carry the quart bag with you into the terminal rather than leaving it in a curbside bin. Jars that feel warm can go sticky fast, which invites residue on lids and extra screening. If a batch goes stringy on vacation, knead in a few drops of contact solution at the hotel and reset the texture for the flight home. Cool jars travel better.
Clean handling on board
- Line the tray table with a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment.
- Keep a small trash bag in the seat pocket for wipes and scraps.
- Wipe the tray, armrests, and belt buckle area before and after play.
- Hand back any stray bits you find. A neat seat wins smiles and quick turns onboard.
Clear answers to common edge cases
Dry kits: Powder-only kits ride in carry-on with no size cap, though large tubs may be screened more closely on inbound U.S. flights. Add the activator at your destination.
Pre-made kits with activator bottles: Bottles count toward your 3-1-1 bag. Decant into travel sizes with printed labels, or move the kit to checked bags.
Airline rules: A few carriers sell craft kits on board and allow quiet play; others prefer no sticky items at seats. A quick message to your carrier before travel helps you pick the right plan for your route and cabin.
Allergies and scents: Neutral batches keep peace in a tight cabin. Hold strong scents for outdoor play. If a neighbor mentions a sensitivity, seal the jar and swap to a book or a puzzle.
Bottom line
Slime is allowed on planes. Pack small jars neatly in your quart bag, keep bigger jars in checked luggage, label your kits, and be ready to show powders on inbound U.S. flights. The rulebook lives on the pages from the U.S. security agency and the aviation regulator, and the UK page lists rules for British airports. With tidy jars and a little courtesy, you and your kids keep the craft and skip the stress while you fly. Pack light, label jars, keep the quart bag handy, and you’ll breeze through most lanes with time to spare for boarding today.