How To Make Oobleck
Have you ever wanted to try to make Oobleck? Maybe you read the Dr. Seuss book ‘Bartholomew and the Oobleck’ or your kids came home from school talking about this weird word and you’d like to give it a try. You’re in the right place! This strange concoction is a super simple, 2-ingredient wonder that is equal parts science experiment and sensory fun. It will transition from a solid to liquid right before your eyes, and between your fingers.
Get ready to embrace the mess!
What Is Oobleck
Each summer my childcare welcomes some older school age children. I give them some freedom to decide what they would like to do from activities to art to science. One group I had was REALLY into slime and all things messy. One day they said oobleck.
Oobleck is a type of non-Newtonian fluid that you can read about if you are interested in some of the science.
Ingredients and Equipment
Two ingredient recipes are my favorite, all you will need is cornstarch and water.
Beyond the actual ingredients for the oobleck, you will want a bowl or container of some sort with sides. We used my small trays; we use these for everything.
You may also want a fork to get started or for those kiddos who aren’t quite ready to jump in. A spoon isn’t going to cut it. We used forks to push and scrape the mixture in the beginning. Eventually they ditch the fork for their fingers and that’s when the magic begins.
Other things you will want:
- Food coloring -for fun but optional
- Small plastic toys -also for fun but optional
- Smock
- Tablecloth or roll of kraft paper for your surface.
- Bowl or container with sides
- Small container with lid or ziplock bag if you plan to keep your oobleck
- Wet washcloth and broom for clean up
How To Make Oobleck
We have tried many recipes and variations. Some kind of work, some not so much. The best ratio we have found is a 2:1 ratio of corn starch to water.
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup of water
- Food coloring
Directions:
- Add water and a few drops of food coloring to a measuring cup
- Measure 1 cup of cornstarch into your bowl or shallow container with sides
- Pour colored water over cornstarch
- Mix together
It’s as simple as that!!
How To Play
Now for the fun part!
Mixing this together is part of the fun, pushing around the water and cornstarch when it almost feels impossible.
Once everything is mixed, scoop some into your hands. Try to form a ball or simply hold it in your hand and see what happens.
The mixture should slowly turn liquid right in your hands.
It’s pretty cool.
Add some small plastic toys like animals to add to your play.
- Do they sink in the mixture?
- Can you cover them up?
- If they’re under the mixture, is it easy or hard to get them out?
- What is a solid?
- What is a liquid?
- Is your oobleck a solid or liquid or both?
- What happens when you hold the oobleck?
- What does it feel like?
- Is it smooth or rough?
How to dispose of oobleck
The shelf life of oobleck isn’t very long. If stored in an airtight container you should be able to keep it for a few days. Keep an eye for any changes in color or mold growing.
To dispose, throw away in the trash. Do not put down your sink.
Tips For Success with Mess
I think one thing holding most people back from trying oobleck or other similar projects is the mess. So, before you begin know that mess will happen, but if we’re prepared then it’s okay!!
Cover your workspace.
I recommend a cheap tablecloth or kraft paper. This way when the experiment is complete, you can roll that up and dispose of it. No scrubbing tables.
Cover your child.
I am a huge fan of wearing old adult sized t-shirts cut up the side for a paint shirt/messy project shirt. If you go this route the key is ‘cut up the side’. This way you can place the shirt over your child’s head, get maximum coverage, and easily remove it when you are done.
For this experiment however, I recently received some plastic art smocks that I’ve wanted to try out. These worked exceptionally well with this project as clean-up was simply wipe it off.
Whatever you choose to do, just make sure your child has something covering their clothing.
Have your cleaning supplies ready!
This is key! Have everything prepared, wash cloths, wet wipes, broom. Whatever you may need, have it close by so the clean-up step isn’t as daunting. If a child finished way before everyone else, you are ready. If everyone finishes at the same exact time, you are ready.
Discuss expectations during this project.
There is nothing wrong with setting clear rules before beginning. In fact, it’s important. Keep it simple, discuss what they can and cannot do. Kids are smart, kids can be great with boundaries and rules if you give them the chance.
In fact, the more you remind them of the expectations prior to beginning a messy project, the more they remember, the easier your projects will be going forward.
Be sure to ask if they have questions about what you said or if they understand.
One of the things I say to my group before we begin is remember we love to be messy, but we need to contain our mess. We say this when playing in sensory bins and muddy areas outside as well. Recently a little boy asked, ‘what does contain mean?’
This was a great learning moment for me as well as for them. Make sure they know what you mean.
Keep it simple
No matter what project you are doing, keep it simple for yourself and for the children in your care.
You do not need 50 tools and all the color options. You do not need to add any toys to this if you don’t want to. Whatever you provide, I guarantee they are just excited to try it out!
Keep messy items away from the edge of the counter.
This may be more of a reminder for myself…
The last time we made oobleck, I set my measuring cup with 2 cups of colored water on the counter and walked away for a moment. Little did I know my ‘apparently tall enough to reach the counter’ one year old was curious and headed straight for it.
It’s just colored water…but it was everywhere. I was not prepared to mop the floor at that moment but that’s exactly what I did.
I’ve always been a little leery of food coloring for obvious staining reasons. Once upon a time I thought I was going to make soap and got this color pack. It’s great! We haven’t had issues with staining and it’s non-toxic.
Remember it’s messy
Don’t expect this to be a clean process or for the kids to magically keep everything in their containers. I think if we go into these projects with the right expectations, it’s not so bad.
Be prepared and embrace the mess!
