Make a batch of Oobleck
Make a batch of Oobleck using cornstarch and water, observe how it behaves like a liquid and solid, and experiment with adult supervision.
Step-by-step guide to make a batch of Oobleck
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water so they are clean before you start.
Step 2
Cover your table with the tray or newspaper to keep the mess in one place.
Step 3
Pour 1 cup of cornstarch into the large mixing bowl.
Step 4
Measure 1/2 cup of water into the measuring cup.
Step 5
Add 3 drops of food coloring to the water if you want colored oobleck.
Step 6
Stir the water so the color mixes evenly.
Step 7
Pour about half of the colored water into the cornstarch bowl.
Step 8
Stir the cornstarch and water slowly until the mixture begins to clump together.
Step 9
Add one teaspoon of water to the bowl if the mixture feels too dry.
Step 10
Stir the mixture until it becomes smooth and starts to behave like oobleck.
Step 11
Squeeze a small handful to feel how it acts like a solid when pressed.
Step 12
Let a little drip from your fingers to watch how it flows like a liquid.
Step 13
Share a photo or description of your oobleck experiment on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if cornstarch or food coloring are hard to find?
If you can't find cornstarch, substitute potato starch or tapioca starch for the 1 cup called for, and if you don't have food coloring use a few drops of washable liquid watercolor or non-toxic poster paint diluted into the 1/2 cup of water.
My mixture stays powdery and won't clump—how can I fix it?
Follow the instruction to add one teaspoon of water if the mixture feels too dry, stirring slowly after each teaspoon until the cornstarch and water begin to clump and then become smooth.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For toddlers, pre-mix the oobleck in the large mixing bowl and keep it contained on the tray without food coloring for supervised sensory play, while older kids can precisely measure the 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup water and experiment by adding extra teaspoons of water to test changes in behavior.
How can we extend or personalize the oobleck experiment?
After squeezing a handful to feel it act like a solid and letting some drip to watch it flow like a liquid, personalize the batch by adding glitter or scent, mix different food-color combinations into the 1/2 cup water, or make two batches with different teaspoon amounts of water to photograph and compare for DIY.org.
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Facts about non-Newtonian fluids
🧪 Oobleck is a shear-thickening non-Newtonian fluid — it acts like a solid under sudden force and like a liquid when moved slowly.
🌊 Poke it gently and it flows; slap it quickly and it feels hard — perfect for hands-on science surprises.
🥣 A typical starter recipe is about 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water by volume—add water slowly until you get the right texture.
⚠️ Oobleck can clog drains, so always supervise kids, keep it out of sinks, and dispose by letting it dry and throwing it in the trash.
📚 The goo’s fun name comes from Dr. Seuss’s 1949 book 'Bartholomew and the Oobleck', which inspired the playful science demo.
How do I make Oobleck and explore how it acts like a liquid and a solid?
What materials do I need to make Oobleck?
What ages is this Oobleck activity suitable for?
Is Oobleck safe and what precautions should I take?
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