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Let’s find out how to make oobleck! Oobleck is the best and I am not over-selling this. There’s no way to over-sell something as amazing as oobleck. If you haven’t tried this yet, let me show you how to make oobleck – and convince you to try and give it a go.
Table of Contents:
- What is oobleck?
- How do you make oobleck?
- Does oobleck stain?
- Is it different from slime?
- How to dispose of oobleck
- A list of activities for kids
- Frequently Asked Question
- How make oobleck
What is oobleck?
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian substance (how’s that for a $100 word). Non-Newtonian is a fancy way of saying it’s kind of a solid and kind of a liquid. It has properties of both.
When kids play with it, oobleck seemingly changes it’s form: When you hold it in your fingers, the oobleck slips through like a liquid. Or add some pressure and you can break it, like a solid. Push into oobleck with a spoon and it’s firm. Let it fall from a spoon, and it look moves like pancake batter.
Oobleck is the coolest.
RELATED: Looking for some of the best indoor activities for kids? I’ve got tons!
How do you make oobleck?
It’s so easy.
It’s just CORNSTARCH + WATER.
That’s it. Generally, it’s a 2 to 1 ratio of cornstarch to water (so 1 cup of cornstarch + 1/2 cup of water).
Add in food coloring to your water, but that’s totally optional and your preference.
Stir to combine and like magic: the oobleck will form before your eyes.
Does oobleck stain?
Nope – oobleck is cornstarch and water. These are not “stain-able” ingredients. If you choose to add food coloring into your water, the food coloring will be diluted in the oobleck and should not stain your hands.
Of course, remember if concentrated food coloring does get on clothing, it will rinse out with cold water. I usually set the stain in our sink filled with cold water and let the water do its diluting job.
Is it different from slime?
Yes. 10000x yes. Oobleck is very different from slime.
For starters: oobleck does not stain (see above paragraph). Slime is the worst. Oobleck’s ingredients are much “safer” in that respect: your carpet is safe.
Oobleck and slime also feel completely different but I’ll be honest: oobleck tends to be a bit messier in play because of the consistency.
However, since it’s just cornstarch and water, it only needs a wet washcloth to clean up.
How to dispose of oobleck
Think of oobleck like gravy (it’s basically the same ingredients). To turn oobleck from non-Newtonian into a full on liquid, you need to “flood it” and dilute it.
Once you have overwhelmed the cornstarch with water, it fully dissolves and your left with just pretty colored water.
Alternatively, you can let it dry out and then scrape it into the garbage. Whatever you feel safest with!
A list of activities for kids
Oobleck activities are some of my favorites, but because it’s so quick and east to make up – my kids often just sit and play with oobleck for fun.
There’s something about oobleck that is just plain magical. Here are some of our favorite ways to play:
Outdoor baking bin – this was perfect and by the end of the day, 7 kids were crowded around this one container.
Toy party – drop some toys in with the oobleck and let your kids decorate them. This ends with kids and oobleck in the bathtub which is the perfect double activity win.
Baby + Oobleck – I love oobleck as a high chair activity. What an amazing sensory moment for baby.
Oobleck in the bath – My daughter is just over one in this activity where I let her play with oobleck in the bath. At the end, fill the tub up which dilutes the oobleck into the water making it safe to drain.
Rainbow oobleck sensory bin – A perfect backyard activity. Just hose it out to dilute it back into water at the end. Easy clean up!
Frequently Asked Question
Is oobleck taste safe?
Oobleck is made from cornstarch and water. The box of cornstarch says to no consume it raw, similar to the warning on a bag of flour. Make the best decision for your family.
How do you get food coloring off kid hands?
Water. Food coloring will rinse out. Wash their hands well, dry them well, and know that it’ll all be off soon. **For whatever reason, blue oobleck seems to transfer color the easiest so if that’s a concern or both for you, avoid blue.
How do you rinse food coloring off clothing?
Set the clothing in cold water – in the sink or bath tub. Let it rest a few hours. It’ll seep out *so says the lady on the Internet. Always use your gut.
5 from 1 vote
How make oobleck
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian substance that is awesome for kids to have sensory play with.
Total Time5 minutes mins
Yield: 1 sensory bin
Equipment
Spoon
Large mixing bowl
Sensory bin (I use a 28 quart storage container)
Materials
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water (dyed with food coloring if desired)
Instructions
In a bowl, combine cornstarch and water. If using food coloring, add food coloring to water before combining with cornstarch.
Mix with a spoon to fully incorporate. Substance will progressively be harder to stir as cornstarch and water combine. When pushes with the spoon, the oobleck should break like a solid and also ooze like a liquid.
Pour into a sensory bin or water table. Add in kitchen utensils for imaginary play.
Notes
- Recipe can be duplicated. Follow the ratio of 2:1 cornstarch to water.
- Typically use 1 cup cornstrach + 1/2 water per child playing.
- Food coloring is optional, but should be added to the water first and mixed.
- Cornstarch containers have a warning to not consume raw. Please make good judgements for your child
- To clean up, either let oobleck dry and scrape into garbage or flood with water using hose, sink or bathtub to dilute the cornstarch mixture back to a full liquid.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
