DIY Oobleck is a Fun Kids Science Experiment
Looking for a unique kids activity to keep them busy and entertained?
Try creating some gooey Oobleck as a classic science experience. In fact, your kids may have already made this at school, but it’s also a fascinating at-home activity for all ages.
Oobleck is affectionately named after the substance that fell from the sky in the Dr. Seuss story Bartholomew and the Oobleck and is a mixture of just cornstarch and water.
Curious about the science behind Oobleck?
According to Instructables.online, “Oobleck is a non-newtonian fluid. That is, it acts like a liquid when being poured, but like a solid when a force is acting on it. You can grab it and then it will ooze out of your hands. Make enough Oobleck and you can even walk on it! 😱
Hip DIY Tips:
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- Make this even more fun by using a few drops of food coloring or adding paint to the water first. I added a squirt of glow in the dark green paint as a fun variation or you could check out the powdered version as well!
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- When making, start by adding about 1.5 cups of cornstarch first, then add 1/2 cup more as needed.
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- Don’t have cornstarch on hand? Try this recipe using arrowroot or tapioca powder instead.
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- Oobleck is a fun, yet messy activity! However, just washing your hands and bowls with warm water will work. Just make sure it doesn’t get on the couch or carpet. You may want to even cover the floor or countertop where you’re doing this with a plastic trash bag or tablecloth for easy clean-up.
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- You can store Oobleck in a covered container and play with it again. If left out, it will just dry up.
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- Never toss an entire batch of Oobleck into the sink as a large amount can clog the drain. Simply throw Oobleck in the trash when done. I found it easiest to tip over the bowl in the trash and let it ooze out slowly, rather than trying to dig it out all at once.
DIY Oobleck
PrintSupplies Needed
- 1 cup water
- optional: food coloring or paint
- 1.5 - 2 cups cornstarch
Directions
1
In a bowl, add water. If using food coloring or paint, add into the water and stir.
2
Stir water and 1.5 cups of cornstarch together in a bowl. Add additional 1/2 cup of cornstarch if it’s still too watery.
3
Use your hands to finish onlinebining the mixture until the texture is solid. Then if you grab it, it should run down your hands, changing the state of consistency as it’s played with. Have fun and enjoy!
Once you are done making Oobleck, have fun playing with it, and testing what it can do!
Jab at it using your fingers or a fist while it fills the bottom of a bowl and see how hard it feels. Then make a ball and squeeze to see it gush out like a liquid. I have to admit, even I had fun playing with Oobleck! It looks cool when you onlinebine colors also.
Glow & Flow Fun!
So our glow in the dark painted batch of Oobleck didn’t glow super great on its own, but looked really cool when using a black light to shine on it! Overall this is a fun activity to consider. My kids are older and still enjoyed it!
