Glitter, Slime & Kids’ Crafts: What Are They Actually Breathing?

Craft time is supposed to be joyful, creative — even a little messy.

But beneath the glue, glitter, and slime lies something most parents don’t expect: a cloud of invisible pollutants.

We don’t often associate arts and crafts with indoor air quality or chemical exposure, but many popular kids’ materials contain ingredients that release harmful compounds into the air or leave behind toxic residues on skin and surfaces.

So while your child is drawing, painting, or playing with slime, they may also be inhaling or absorbing substances linked to irritation, hormone disruption, or long-term health effects.

Let’s take a closer look inside the craft bin — and explore how to make creativity safer for both kids and the environment.

What’s Really in the Craft Kit? A Closer Look at Common Materials

Glitter

It may look like harmless sparkle, but glitter is a major microplastic pollutant.

• Material: Usually made from PET plastic or PVC with a thin layer of aluminum
• Hazards: Breaks into dust-sized particles, becoming airborne and easily inhaled
• Ingestion risk: Can enter mouths or eyes during play and linger on surfaces
• Additives: Often colored with synthetic dyes and may contain phthalates or toxic pigments

When glitter is washed down the drain, it enters waterways and contributes to ocean microplastic pollution. Indoors, it can add to dust that circulates through HVAC systems or settles on toys and furniture.

Slime

DIY slime has become a favorite for kids — but many recipes and store-bought versions contain questionable ingredients.

• Borax: Common activator that can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract
• Synthetic dyes: Bright colors often come from petroleum-derived ingredients
• Artificial fragrances: May contain phthalates or allergenic compounds
• Preservatives: Some formulas include methylisothiazolinone, linked to allergic contact dermatitis and immune sensitization

Even “safe” slime can cause trouble if left out to dry, where it may flake and shed particles into the air.

Craft Glues and Adhesives

Not all glues are created equal — and many contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• Spray adhesives: Often emit VOCs that linger in the air
• Instant glues: Contain solvents like toluene and acetone
• White glue or school glue: Even “non-toxic” versions may contain preservatives or trace formaldehyde releasers

Because glues are often used in enclosed spaces with little ventilation, fumes can accumulate quickly — especially dangerous for smaller lungs.

Markers, Paints, and Inks

Many art supplies contain hidden chemical ingredients not listed on the label.

• Scented markers: Fragrances are unregulated and may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals
• Acrylic paints: Sometimes contain heavy metals (especially metallic colors) or VOCs
• Oil-based paints: High in solvents, which can irritate the lungs and nervous system
• Ink pads and stamps: May include phthalates or skin irritants

While most craft products for kids are labeled “non-toxic,” this only guarantees they aren’t immediately lethal if ingested — not that they’re safe for long-term use or inhalation.

Why It Matters: Kids Are More Vulnerable to Toxins

Children breathe more rapidly than adults, have thinner skin, and spend more time close to the ground — where heavier pollutants settle.

• Their developing organs and immune systems are more susceptible to chemical harm
• Hand-to-mouth behavior increases ingestion risk from residues left on skin and surfaces
• Repetition (like hours spent with slime or coloring) increases cumulative exposure

What’s harmless to an adult can be overwhelming to a small child — especially if exposure is frequent, indoors, and unventilated.

How to Make Arts & Crafts Safer (Without Killing the Fun)

You don’t have to eliminate crafting to protect your child’s health. With a few mindful swaps, simple DIY alternatives, and good ventilation, creativity can stay safe and inspiring.

1. Choose Truly Non-Toxic Craft Materials

Not all “non-toxic” claims are created equal. Look for third-party certifications and reputable brands that go beyond the label.

• Look for:
  • Green Seal
  • EWG Verified
  • Made Safe
  • Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) AP-certified products
• Better markers: Choose unscented, water-based markers
• Safer glues: Use glue sticks or rice paste instead of solvent-based adhesives
• Glitter alternatives: Switch to biodegradable plant-based glitter made from eucalyptus cellulose or skip glitter entirely

2. Improve Indoor Air Quality During Crafting

Because many materials emit fumes or dust, proper ventilation is essential.

• Craft near an open window
• Use a HEPA air purifier in the room
• Avoid aerosol sprays indoors — take them outside or use a pump bottle alternative
• Skip synthetic air fresheners that only add more VOCs

Even basic changes like cracking a window or switching to water-based supplies can make a significant difference.

3. Make Your Own Safer Craft Supplies

DIY alternatives are fun, educational, and much safer than store-bought formulas.

Try these swaps:

• Slime without borax: Use chia seeds, flaxseed, or psyllium husk (safe, tactile, and compostable)
• Natural dyes: Beetroot powder, turmeric, spirulina, or berry juice for coloring playdough and slime
• Homemade playdough: Flour + salt + water + a drop of oil = hours of safe fun
• Paint alternatives: Blend cornstarch with natural food coloring or crushed herbs
• Eco glue: Mix flour and water with a little vinegar for simple paper paste

Making craft materials from scratch also reduces packaging waste and teaches kids about ingredients and environmental choices.

4. Keep Clean-Up Non-Toxic

Crafting often leaves behind a mess — but clean-up doesn’t have to add more chemicals to the air.

• Use diluted vinegar or castile soap to wipe down surfaces
• Choose fragrance-free, non-antibacterial hand soap
• Avoid single-use disinfectant wipes — opt for reusable cloths with natural cleaner
• Regularly vacuum with a HEPA filter to pick up glitter, pigment dust, and small particles

Encourage your kids to help clean up — not just for tidiness, but to develop habits around safe, respectful material use.

Creative Alternatives for a Safer Craft Bin

Here are fun swaps and projects that feel just as magical — without the toxic cloud:

• Nature crafts: Use pinecones, leaves, acorns, pebbles, and sticks for collage, stamping, or sculpture
• Salt dough ornaments: A classic and safe sculpting project
• Cardboard architecture: Repurpose boxes into castles, robots, or furniture for dolls
• Mason jar lanterns: Use plant-based paints and LED candles
• Collage from magazines: Turn old pages into mood boards or story maps
• Solar paper or nature prints: Use sun-sensitive paper or flower pressing instead of glitter-based decor

Letting kids explore creativity through natural and upcycled materials doesn’t just reduce pollution — it expands imagination beyond store-bought limits.

Final Thoughts: A Creative Childhood Shouldn’t Come at a Cost

Crafting is meant to be joyful — a time for exploration, expression, and messy brilliance. But when those moments come bundled with VOCs, microplastics, or hormone-disrupting compounds, we owe it to our kids to pause and ask: Is there a better way?

The good news? There is. And it’s already in your kitchen, backyard, and community.

A few mindful swaps, a little DIY spirit, and some fresh air can transform art time into a space that’s not only safe but empowering — where kids learn that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Because safer crafts = cleaner air = healthier childhoods.
And every brushstroke, sparkle, and squish should come with peace of mind.