How to Make Oobleck for Kids (2024)

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If your kids love to make slime, they will have a blast learning how to make oobleck. You only need 2 ingredients and this fun activity also doubles as a really neat science experiment.

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (1)

We have a blast creating new things and learning how to make Oobleck did not disappoint. This fun activity only requires 2 ingredients and both kids and adults will enjoy this craft.

The kids were bored one day and since we already had what we needed in the cabinet, we decided to make it. The kids had so much making this and even more fun playing with it.

Making Oobleck is also a great way to have fun with the kids while also learning . If you need a fun science activity, this is such a great one to try.

It is inexpensive to make and does not require much work or supplies.

What is oobleck?

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian liquid. So what does that mean? It means that oobleck has properties of both liquids and solids. It is also great for sensory play.

Now you know the definition and that oobleck is a non newtonian fluid. The name originates from the dr seuss book bartholomew and the oobleck.

In the book, oobleck falls from the sky. One idea is to read the book and make this a fun activity with your children.

Is Oobleck a liquid or a solid?

It is actually both. Ok, you might be wondering how does that work? That is what makes this substance so much fun!

You can squeeze it together and form a ball and it will seem like it is a solid. However, if you stick your finger in the mixture, it feels like a liquid.

Let the kids form the substance into a ball. Once they stop playing with it, it will lose its shape and turn into a liquid.

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (2)

Can u eat Oobleck?

It is not poisonous as it is just cornstarch and water. However, it sure won’t taste good. We do not recommend digesting this.

Can you make oobleck with flour?

No, you can’t use flour. You need a starchy flour like arrowroot flour or cornstarch to make this. Flour will not provide the right consistency or desired texture

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (3)

Oobleck Ingredients

  • 2 cups of cornstarch
  • 1 cup of water
  • Food Coloring (Optional)

How to Make Oobleck:

  • Step 1. First, go ahead and add the drops of food coloring to the water. Skip this step if you don’t plan to add food coloring.

    You can choose any color you prefer or leave it out if you opt not to make colored oobleck. We like to make different colors and even rainbow oobleck with food colouring. This is a fun option instead of the regular gooey green substance.

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (4)
  • Step 2. Next, stir the water into the corn starch until the oobleck mixture is formed. Continue to add more cornstarch until all of it is combined. It is 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water.
How to Make Oobleck for Kids (5)
How to Make Oobleck for Kids (6)
  • Step 3. Finally, mix it all together with a spoon and that is all you do to make a batch of oobleck. This oobleck recipe is very simple.
How to Make Oobleck for Kids (7)
How to Make Oobleck for Kids (8)

How to make oobleck with baking soda:

If you choose to substitute baking soda for the cornstarch, just use 1 part room temperature water to 2 parts baking soda.

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (9)

Oobleck with borax:

Using borax is possible but you need a few more ingredients if going this route. You will need 1 teaspoon of borax, 8 oz of glue and 4 oz of water. Note: Make sure the water is warm for best results.

How do you create Oobleck in a Ziplock bag?

Instead of mixing everything in the measuring cup, use a ziplock bag instead. When ready to mix, seal the bag and shake until mixed. Apply pressure to combine well.

This is a great method if you don’t want to dirty up any bowls. It is also great for keeping little hands clean so they can help make this fun DIY.

How Long Does Oobleck Last?

It will last about 24 hours if you store oobleck inside an airtight container. I don’t recommend keeping it much longer as it can begin to mold.

Dispose of oobleck if signs of mold or decay appear sooner. Make sure children have clean hands when playing with this substance. It will help this non-Newtonian fluid last the full 24 hours.

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (10)

Try these other fun diy ideas:

  • Koolaid playdough
  • How to make Fluffy Slime
  • Silly Putty – This is one of the best crafts and diy.
  • Learn how to make floam
  • how to make slime for kids that is calming
How to Make Oobleck for Kids (11)

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (12)

Print

How to Make Oobleck

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Active Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Keyword: How to Make Oobleck

Yield: 1

Author: One Crazy Mom

Equipment

  • 2 cups of cornstarch

  • 1 cup of water

  • Food Coloring (optional)

Instructions

  • First, go ahead and add food coloring to the water. Skip this step if you don’t plan to use food coloring. You can choose any color you prefer or leave it out.

  • Next, stir the water into the corn starch until the oobleck mixture is formed.

  • Finally, mix it all together and that is it.

Video

How to Make Oobleck for Kids (2024)

FAQs

How to Make Oobleck for Kids? ›

Ingredients: Water Cornstarch Food coloring (optional) Use one part water (e.g. 1 cup) for 1.5 to 2 parts cornstarch (e.g. 1 1/2 to 2 cups) #UMNGive #GTMD17 Music: Divertissem*nt by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/....

What is the formula for oobleck? ›

Making Oobleck is really easy– simply mix cornstarch and water in a bowl. Be sure to measure a 2:1 ratio of ingredients. For example, 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water. Once mixed, experiment by applying different levels of force to the substance!

How to make cornstarch for kids? ›

Instructions: You can mix this up in advance or allow your children to do it themselves. Provide one part water for two parts cornstarch. I love to make TONS and the children get so much joy out of mixing up a huge batch of this goopy, drippy mixture.

What is a non-Newtonian fluid for kids? ›

A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid that does not follow Newton's law of viscosity. In non-Newtonian fluids, viscosity can change when under force to either more liquid or more solid.

Does oobleck go bad? ›

If you keep the oobleck for more than a day, it will start to go bad and will not be able to retain the properties that it has. In order to dispose of the oobleck, all you have to do is let it dry properly by keeping it aside overnight. Then you can smash the oobleck with a spoon and throw it away easily.

What is a substitute for cornstarch in oobleck? ›

Arrowroot Powder: Arrowroot powder, extracted from the rhizomes of the arrowroot plant, can also be used as a cornstarch alternative. Mix arrowroot powder with water, gradually adjusting the proportions until you attain the consistency reminiscent of traditional Oobleck.

Why is my oobleck not working? ›

If the mixture seems too dry, add a few drops more water. If it's too liquid, add some more cornflour. The oobleck is ready when the mixture is thick and fluid, but starts to tear if stirred fast. The oobleck can dry out as you play with it.

How long does oobleck last? ›

It's better to throw oobleck in the trash instead of pouring it down the sink. Oobleck doesn't last long in storage so if you're going to keep some around you should keep it refrigerated and don't keep it for more than a few days.

Is oobleck edible? ›

Luckily, the gooey substance is not toxic, but it probably won't taste good since it's just cornstarch and water. As one individual pointed out on Yahoo Answers, while eating oobleck may not be poisonous, it could potentially give someone pains in their stomach if large quantities are ingested.

Is cornstarch OK for kids? ›

Cornstarch, like talcum powder, can cause respiratory problems even in small amounts. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if inhaled cornstarch powder can be dangerous. Inhaled cornstarch powder can damage a baby's growing lungs.

How to explain oobleck to preschoolers? ›

Oobleck is a mixture of a solid (corn starch) suspended in a liquid (water). Oobleck behaves like a solid when force is acted on it quickly. This is because the pressure forces all the particles of corn starch together and they behave like a solid.

What's the difference between slime and oobleck? ›

Like oobleck liquid, slime is also a solid and a liquid, or a non-Newtonian fluid. However, slime becomes more solid than oobleck and can be stored longer and played with time and time again, while oobleck will spoil after a few days.

How to make oobleck slime? ›

Directions
  1. Help your child measure 3/4 cup of water in a plastic measuring cup.
  2. If you have food coloring, have your child add a couple of drops to the water.
  3. Help your child measure 1 cup of cornstarch. ...
  4. Slowly add the water and food coloring.
  5. Let your child mix the mixture.
Apr 15, 2019

Can you make oobleck with flour and water? ›

The simple answer is that you can't. Regular wheat flour does not behave the way that cornstarch does. When you create a mixture using this ingredient, you will get a sticky paste instead of oobleck. Put, you're going to end up with a real mess rather than a fun experiment for you and your kids.

What can you use to make oobleck instead of cornstarch? ›

Arrowroot Powder: Arrowroot powder, extracted from the rhizomes of the arrowroot plant, can also be used as a cornstarch alternative. Mix arrowroot powder with water, gradually adjusting the proportions until you attain the consistency reminiscent of traditional Oobleck.

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