Slime Toy

1970s toys · squishy stuff · colorful goo · vintage

Came in a trash can. When Slime first came out in February 1976, Mattel sold it in a plastic trash can as the package. This made it extra fun and silly, since you got to keep your gooey toy in a mini garbage container.

Made from guar gum. Slime is mostly made of guar gum, which is a thick, squishy ingredient that comes from guar beans. It's the same stuff used in some foods and ice cream, so it's totally safe to touch and play with.

Different gross versions. Over the years, toy makers created special Slime versions with creepy things inside like rubber insects, eyeballs, and worms. Kids loved having their gooey slime crawl with fake creatures.

Usually bright green. The original Slime was green, though other colored versions came out too. The bright, weird color made it even more fun and gross-looking.

Stretchy and squishy. Slime feels super satisfying because you can squish it, stretch it, and watch it ooze between your fingers. It's the kind of toy where half the fun is just playing with how it moves and changes shape.