Sloomoo Institute Charlotte

Sloomoo Institute Charlotte: Is This Slime Experience Worth It?

I’ll admit it: when I heard that the Sloomoo Institute was opening in Charlotte, NC, I immediately knew my slime-obsessed daughter was going to love it. What I was NOT expecting was to get invited to check it out and for my teenage son, my husband, and me to have just as much fun as she did! I pictured walking around for an hour while my daughter happily played with slime and the rest of us followed along.

Instead?

We spent more than THREE HOURS inside Sloomoo Institute.

There is truly nothing else like this in Charlotte. It’s colorful, interactive, slightly ridiculous in the very best way, and one of those experiences where everyone gets permission to act like a kid again. If you’re looking for a unique indoor family activity in Charlotte, especially somewhere that can entertain kids, tweens, teens AND adults, Sloomoo Institute Charlotte needs to be on your list.

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What Is the Sloomoo Institute?

Calling the Sloomoo Institute a “slime museum” doesn’t really explain it. You aren’t walking around looking at slime behind glass.

You are touching it. Stretching it. Smelling it. Smearing it on walls. Making music with it. Walking through it. Creating your own slime. And, if you’re brave enough, getting SLIMED.

Sloomoo Institute Charlotte is an immersive sensory experience filled with different slime textures, colors, scents and interactive exhibits. And from the moment you walk through the doors, you’re part of the experience.

First, You Need Your Official Sloomoo Identity

Your adventure starts at the welcome kiosks where you answer a few questions to discover your Sloomoo Institute Sidekick, a fun character that supposedly represents you. Then you receive your official Sloomoo name. It sounds like a small thing, but it immediately gets everyone involved. Even my teenager…. trying to pronounce everyone’s Sloomoo name was hilarious! And we were just getting started.

Yes, Your Kids Are Actually Allowed to Smear Slime on the Walls

Next we walked into a room where the walls were literally dripping with slime.And then the employees basically told my kids:

Go ahead. Add some more.

There are two huge vats of slime where you can grab a handful, stretch it, squish it and add your contribution to the giant slime mural covering the wall. Telling my kids they were actually ALLOWED to smear slime on a wall was basically like telling them they could have ice cream for breakfast. When else are you going to get permission to do this?!

This was also the moment I realized the Sloomoo Institute was going to be a lot more interactive than I expected.

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I Had No Idea There Were This Many Types of Slime

As we continued through Sloomoo, we found station after station filled with different types of slime. And apparently I’ve been living under a rock because I had NO IDEA there were this many slime textures. There was incredibly soft, almost cloud-like slime… which was definitely my favorite. My son’s favorite was the super sticky, gooey slime that reminded me of the slime we all watched people get covered in on Nickelodeon’s Double Dare.

There were varieties filled with tiny beads or sand that added another whole layer of texture.

Some stretched.

Some squished.

Some felt fluffy.

Some were incredibly sticky.

And somehow we found ourselves standing around comparing our favorite types of slime like we had suddenly become professional slime critics.

Then You Add the Smells

Another section is completely dedicated to scented slime. There were vats filled with different scents, and naturally everyone in our family had a different favorite. I loved the birthday cake. My daughter was all about the cotton candy. Hubs kept his Caribbean vibes going with coconut!

Between the smells and all of the different textures, this was one of those experiences where you quickly realize the Sloomoo Institute isn’t simply about making slime.

It’s a full sensory experience.

And there’s something surprisingly relaxing about sitting there squishing, stretching and playing with it. I completely understand why sensory play can be so calming. Even the adults in our family kept going back for “just one more” squeeze.

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Don’t Skip the Glow-in-the-Dark Music Room

One of my favorite areas was the music room. After all the bright colors, activity and excitement in the main spaces, you step into this darker room where the lights are low and the slime glows. It immediately feels calmer. But here’s where it gets really fun:

Different slimes trigger different sounds when you touch them.

Suddenly the kids are stretching, squeezing and slapping slime to create their own music. They basically became slime DJs. And yes, that is apparently a thing now. The official Sloomoo name for this space is Groov’s Groovy Grove, where touching different slime stations triggers sounds like drums, synths and even a cowbell.

Would You Walk Through a Giant Pool of Slime?

Then things get a little weird.

Because you can actually TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AND WALK THROUGH SLIME.

It’s called Lake Sloomoo, and it’s filled with gallons of slime. Of course my daughter jumped at the chance to try it, I was a little hesitant because…. well…. FEET… in SLIME….YUCK. But it was an experience she wanted to try and she told me it’s kinda like walking at the beach but sticky and gooey. I was good just letting her give it a go.

It’s one of those things you have to try at least once simply so you can say you’ve walked through a giant vat of slime.

I did ask an employee about cleanliness because, let’s be honest, that was my first question. She explained that the slime is changed regularly and guests clean their feet before entering. And overall, I was honestly really impressed with how clean the Sloomoo Institute was during our visit.

Employees seemed to constantly be wiping down surfaces, and sanitizing wipes were available throughout the experience.

You Can Actually Get Slimed!

If you grew up watching Nickelodeon and secretly wondered what it would feel like to have slime dumped over your head…

This is your moment.

Sloomoo Falls is an optional upgraded experience where you can GET SLIMED.

And it is hilarious.

Don’t worry, they don’t just send you into a shower fully dressed and dump a gallon of thick craft slime over your head. You’re covered with protective ponchos first. Then there’s music, audience participation and a little game leading up to the big moment.

And finally…

SPLAT.

You get covered in a slime-like mixture.

One thing I really appreciated is that the mixture is much thinner than traditional slime, so you aren’t leaving covered in thick goo. During our visit, they also explained that the water is warmed, which means you’re not standing there waiting to get blasted with freezing cold liquid.

It was easily one of the funniest parts of our entire visit.

Local Tip: If someone in your family has always dreamed of getting slimed, add Sloomoo Falls to your ticket. It’s one of those experiences you’re going to talk about long after you leave.

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And Just When You Think You’re Finished…

You get to make your OWN SLIME. Every general admission ticket includes a custom slime at the Slime Design Bar. This is basically the grand finale.

First you choose your slime texture, then you pick your color, then your scent, and finally you choose a specialty mix-in or charm to make it completely your own.

With all of the combinations available, no two slimes have to be the same.

My daughter was obviously in heaven.

But after spending hours experimenting with all the different varieties throughout Sloomoo, the rest of us suddenly had very strong opinions about what our own slime should feel and smell like too. Funny how that happens. Then they package up your custom creation and you get to bring it home.

Of Course There’s a Slime Gift Shop

You thought you were getting out without buying more slime? That’s adorable. 😂

On your way out, you’ll walk through the Sloomoo gift shop filled with even MORE slime, sensory toys, squishies, slime-making supplies and kits. If you’re visiting with a slime-obsessed kid, consider yourself warned.

Is Sloomoo Institute Good for Teenagers?

YES.

And this was probably the biggest surprise for me. I absolutely expected my 11 year old daughter to enjoy Sloomoo Institute Charlotte; but, I wasn’t sure what my teenage son would think… but he actually had a blast too! Almost everything is interactive, there was constantly something new to try, and he liked challenging himself to make large slime bubbles with all the different types of slime.

It’s goofy enough that everyone eventually gives in and starts playing.

If you’ve followed Exploring North Carolina for any length of time, you know I’m always looking for family activities that can actually keep older kids and teenagers entertained.

Sloomoo passed the teenager test.

How Long Should You Plan to Spend at Sloomoo Institute Charlotte?

This one surprised me. I originally thought we’d probably be inside for about an hour. We were there for more than three hours.

You can move through many of the experiences at your own pace, so how long you spend will really depend on how much your family likes stopping to play with everything.

My advice?

Don’t schedule something immediately afterward.

Give yourself time to actually enjoy it.

Some kids will naturally move through faster, while others could happily stand at one slime station stretching the same piece of slime for twenty minutes.

I apparently live with the second type of child.

And, plan on visiting one of the nearby restaurants afterwards… make it a full day!

What to Know Before Visiting Sloomoo Institute Charlotte

Sloomoo Institute Charlotte is located inside Metropolitan in Midtown at 1100 Metropolitan Ave., Suite F-160, Charlotte, NC 28204. The Metropolitan parking garage offers free parking for guests on levels P1-P3.

Tickets are timed, and Sloomoo recommends booking in advance. Ticket prices can vary depending on the day and time, so I recommend checking the current ticket calendar before your visit rather than relying on a set admission price.

A waiver is required before participating, and Sloomoo recommends the experience for ages 4 and older. The Charlotte location is also wheelchair and stroller accessible, and noise-cancelling headphones are available upon request.

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What Should You Wear?

Wear something comfortable that you aren’t overly worried about. Sloomoo recommends play clothes, sleeves that can easily be rolled up and pulling long hair back. They also suggest leaving your favorite shoes at home. We didn’t walk out looking like we’d survived a slime explosion, but you’re coming somewhere specifically designed for you to stick your hands into vats of slime.

Dress accordingly.

Visiting With Sensory-Sensitive Kids?

Keep in mind that the main areas can be colorful, busy and loud. If someone in your family is sensitive to noise or crowds, the music room offered a quieter break during our visit. Sloomoo Institute Charlotte also offers designated Sensory-Friendly Hours, when they limit tickets and create a calmer, quieter experience. Noise-cancelling headphones are available as well.

Is Sloomoo Institute Charlotte Worth It?

For our family? Absolutely.

I went into Sloomoo thinking this experience was going to be completely for my slime-obsessed daughter. Instead, my husband, teenage son and I ended up having just as much fun. And that’s what made Sloomoo stand out for me.

There are plenty of children’s attractions where parents stand around watching their kids have fun.

This isn’t one of them.

At Sloomoo, everyone gets involved. For a few hours, nobody cares how old they are. You’re squishing slime, making ridiculous noises, smearing slime on walls, laughing at someone getting slimed, creating something together, and playing. Sometimes those are the family outings I love the most.

If you’re looking for a unique indoor activity in Charlotte, something fun to do on a rainy day, or simply an experience your family has probably never tried before, add Sloomoo Institute Charlotte to your list.

And whatever you do…

Don’t tell the kids they’re allowed to smear slime on the walls until you get there.

Watching their faces when they find out is half the fun.