FEW questions could strike fear into the hearts of parents faster than being asked by their children, “Can we play with slime?”
Messy, sticky, often neon in colour, kids seem to universally LOVE slime, while all grown-ups can think of is the nightmare clearing up.
Which is why iconic toy shop Hamleys has come up with a brilliantly clever workaround this spring.
It has transformed the basement of its flagship store in London’s Regent Street into a hands-on sensory, slime playground.
For £15 a ticket, parents can book children into a professional slime-making workshop run by Gootopia, who you might call professional “slimologists”.
I took my three children aged five, eight, and 12, and they all loved getting messy in the hands-on class – and best of all it wasn’t taking place in my kitchen!
Kids are allocated their own work station and all the components to mix their own slime in a big metal bowl.
Then, under instruction, they are let loose to create their gooey concoction from scratch, mixing it and watching in wonder as it seemingly transforms into slime before their eyes.
They can then knead and stretch to their hearts content.
Once they have created the perfect gooey consistency, an array of paint colours are on offer to turn their masterpiece whichever shocking shade of their choice.
Kids are also invited to wield glitter – that other kryptonite substance for parents – and shake it with abandon over their slime.
And my little girl Estella also loved adding strawberry- shaped sprinkles to hers.
Once their creation is complete, the real fun starts.
The Gootopia experts, who patrol the class, show the children how to perform fun tricks with their slime, such as turn it into giant bubbles.
And at the end of the experience, the slime can be safely contained in screw-top plastic pots for transportation home, much to my kids’ delight.
Of course, there’s plenty more entertainment to be had elsewhere in Hamleys, with additional events throughout the Easter holidays including treasure hunts and Lego experiences.
We finished off our craft-making visit by visiting all seven floors of this wondrous toy store, taking in the free toy demos, new magic shows and meeting costumed characters.
We also checked out the newly opened Pokemon area of the store, crammed full of cuddly teddies, themed games and merchandise.
Messy craft and toy shopping in one day, no wonder my three had the slime of their lives.
- GO: Gootopia at Hamleys costs £15pp. The experience runs until April 12 and can be booked at hamleys.com.