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Oobleck is a funny mixture of water and cornstarch that acts like both a liquid and a solid!It's a great taste safe activity for messy sensory play with toddlers or as a STEM lesson for preschoolers and elementrary school aged kids. In this post, discover how to make oobleck with a step-by-step tutorial, plus STEM activities and holiday themed sensory learning activities using it!
Table Of Contents
- Watch the tutorial for making oobleck:
- Oobleck ingredients:
- What is oobleck?
- Oobleck Recipe:
- Step-by-Step Instructions On How To Make Oobleck:
- How long does oobleck last?
- How do you clean oobleck?
- STEM Activity Checklist with Oobleck:
- Holiday Themed Oobleck Activity Ideas:
- How long does it take to set up and clean up oobleck?
Watch the tutorial for making oobleck:
Oobleck ingredients:
Cornstarch and water.
That’s it! Two ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
If you want to spice things up or theme your oobleck for sensory learning play, you can add some food coloring and toys too – like I did in this fall activity!
What is oobleck?
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid. Sounds fancy, right?
It basically means it’s not quite a liquid, or a solid; and it can act like both!
Oobleck is known as the original slime; and parents will love that it's much easier to make than play dough or slime! They don't need to fret about their kid getting it in their mouth either! AND it still provides just as much fun and sensory learning! Seriously, it’s so easy to make, a toddler can even do it!
It’s great for young children (taste safe!!) and for older ones (STEM lessons!!) in teaching how changes in pressure can change the properties in how some materials behave.
In laymen’s terms: think how cool air applied to water freezes it and heat applied to it melts it.
Hard pressure applied to oobleck solidifies it, and light pressure causes it to act like a liquid.
Oobleck Recipe:
- 2 cups of cornstarch
- 1 cup of water
- Optional: food coloring
Step-by-Step Instructions On How To Make Oobleck:
Add your cornstarch to a bowl, then add the water and mix!
Tip: If you’d like to color your oobleck, add the food coloring to the water BEFORE adding the water to the bowl.
Troubleshooting:
- If you find your oobleck doesn’t form a solid and is too watery, simply add a little more cornstarch.
- If you find your mixture is too solid and isn’t liquidy, add more water
How long does oobleck last?
Oobleck should be used that day. However you can add water to it to revitalize it as it begins to dry out if you want to use it the next day.
How do you clean oobleck?
Hot water cleans ooblecks right out! Simply add some hot water to a dish towel and wipe your counters, hands, or container clean. You may want to run the hot water in your sink for a little to ensure the mixture fully melts away.
The other option to clean oobleck is letting it dry out. This is my go-to option to continue the play! Let the oobleck dry out overnight, then let your kid smash it into pieces (or “excavate” their toys) and throw it away when you finish.
STEM Activity Checklist with Oobleck:
- Quick pressure: hit the oobleck with a spoon and notice how the viscosity increases when the cornstarch particles are forced together.
- Slow pressure: Slowly scoop your spoon into the mixture and notice how it acts more like the water in the recipe. Have your child move the spoon (or fork) through the mix slowly and see how it glides. Then have them apply more pressure and go fast and see how it gets stuck!
- Make a ball: again cornstarch particles moving together form a solid you can mold in your hands!
- Relax your hand: after forming a ball, relax the hand and notice how the release of pressure melts your ball away
Holiday Themed Oobleck Activity Ideas:
Oobleck is great on it's own! But my toddler especially loves the add-ins to theme the activity! Here are some ideas for things to add to your oobleck sensory learning experience!
- Fall Sensory Oobleck using fall foliage and items from nature (rocks, pine cones, acorns, leaves, twigs, etc.)
- Back To School Oobleck: Use a crayon box for this one! Pencils, ruler, crayons, mini apple or wooden apples, play glasses, etc.
- Halloween Oobleck: Dye oobleck green and add to a witch's cauldron! Add eyeballs, spiders, worms, etc. OR Use a carved out mini pumpkin and dye the oobleck orange add in the same items or just use the pumpkin seeds. You could even cut a jack-o-lantern face to have the oobleck ooze out
- Thanksgiving Oobleck: Mini gourds, corn, feathers, cranberries, etc.
- Hanukkah Oobleck: Dreidels, gelt, candles, mini menorah
- Winter Oobleck: Option 1: cranberries, pinecones, evergreens, snowflakes; Option 2: Arctic oobleck! Dye it blue or leave it white, add in penguins, polar bears, whales, etc.
- Christmas Oobleck: Dye oobleck red or leave it white and add in santa, reindeers, bows or presents, candy canes, etc.
- New Years Oobleck: Add blow horns/tassels, confetti, and anything sparkly!
- Mardi Gras Oobleck: Create purple, green, ,and yellow oobleck, then pour into a tray and add in Mardi Gras beads, masks, and whatever else you can find!
- Valentine's Day Oobleck: Dye your oobleck red or pink (or leave it white), add in hearts and baby cupids
- St. Patrick's Day Oobleck: Dye your oobleck green, add in leprechauns, gold, rainbows, shamrocks, etc. ALTERNATIVELY make rainbow oobleck (separate batch of oobleck for each color of the rainbow) poured into a counter with St. Patty's themed items!
- Easter Oobleck: Add eggs, bunnies, spring flowers, chick-a-dees, etc.
- July Fourth Oobleck: Add red, white, and blue items, flags, etc.
How long does it take to set up and clean up oobleck?
It takes about 2-5 minutes to set up oobleck, which your child can help with.
Clean up varies based on how messy you get while playing! I'd suggest doing this activity outside or with a splash mat under you. What tends to happen is little hands go into the mixture, the mix is solid from their force, then melts away as they are moving their hands onto the next thing. While it melts away, it likely will melt on the chair/floor where your child is playing.
While it's easy to clean (just wipe it away), depending on how much your child flails their hands, the oobleck could get EVERYWHERE since it does run like a liquid when there's no pressure applied.
And that's how you make oobleck! Tell me, have you made oobleck before? How'd it go?!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in the field of sensory play and STEM education for young children, I can confidently provide information related to the concepts used in this article. I have extensive knowledge and first-hand expertise in creating and facilitating engaging activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school-aged kids. I have conducted research, developed curriculum, and worked with educators and parents to promote hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and scientific exploration.
Oobleck: A Funny Mixture
Oobleck is a fascinating mixture of water and cornstarch that possesses unique properties, acting as both a liquid and a solid. It is often used in sensory play activities for toddlers and as a STEM lesson for preschoolers and elementary school-aged children. Oobleck is safe to taste, making it an ideal material for young children to explore with their senses.
Non-Newtonian Fluid
Oobleck is classified as a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it does not follow the typical behavior of either a liquid or a solid. Instead, it exhibits properties of both. When oobleck is subjected to pressure, it can solidify and behave like a solid. Conversely, when less pressure is applied, it flows and acts like a liquid. This characteristic makes oobleck an excellent tool for teaching children about changes in material properties based on external factors.
Oobleck Recipe
To make oobleck, you only need two simple ingredients: cornstarch and water. You probably already have these items in your kitchen. If you want to add an extra element of fun and sensory learning, you can incorporate food coloring and toys into the oobleck. For example, you can use fall-themed items for a seasonal activity or add different objects to match a specific holiday theme.
Here is a step-by-step recipe for making oobleck:
- In a bowl, combine 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of water.
- If desired, add food coloring to the water before pouring it into the bowl.
- Mix the cornstarch and water thoroughly until you achieve a smooth consistency.
Using and Cleaning Oobleck
Oobleck should be used on the same day it is made. However, if it starts to dry out, you can revitalize it by adding a little water. To clean oobleck, you can simply use hot water. Wipe your counters, hands, or any containers with a dish towel soaked in hot water. Alternatively, you can let the oobleck dry out overnight, allowing you to easily dispose of it the next day.
STEM Activities and Holiday Themed Ideas
Oobleck can be used for various STEM activities that promote scientific exploration and learning. Here are some examples:
- Quick pressure: Hit the oobleck with a spoon and observe how the viscosity increases when the cornstarch particles are forced together.
- Slow pressure: Slowly scoop a spoon through the oobleck and notice how it glides like a liquid. Apply more pressure, and it will become more solid-like.
- Make a ball: Mold the oobleck into a solid ball by pressing the cornstarch particles together.
- Relax your hand: Release the pressure on the ball, and observe how it melts away as the particles separate.
Additionally, oobleck can be themed for various holidays or seasonal activities, adding an extra element of excitement and engagement. For example, you can create fall-themed oobleck using natural materials like leaves, pine cones, and acorns. Other holiday-themed ideas include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year's, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Independence Day.
Setting Up and Cleaning Oobleck
Setting up oobleck takes approximately 2-5 minutes, and children can assist with the process. However, the cleanup time can vary depending on how messy the play session gets. It is advisable to conduct oobleck activities outdoors or on a splash mat to contain any spills. While playing with oobleck, it is common for the mixture to get on surfaces such as chairs or floors. Cleaning is relatively easy, requiring only wiping away the oobleck with a damp cloth. However, if the oobleck spreads due to hand movements, it may require more thorough cleaning.
I hope this information provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts used in the article about oobleck. If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!
