What is Oobleck?
Oobleck is an easy-to-make substance that has some interesting physical properties. The liquid-like slime is an example of a non-Newtonian fluid. Many common liquids like water and alcohol have a constant viscosity, but Oobleck can be liquid when held loosely in your hand. It can also act like a solid if it’s hit with something. The name comes from Dr. Seuss’s 1949 children’s book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, which is about a king who is so bored with the weather in his kingdom that he wants something completely new to fall from the sky. If you want to make this fun, completely new substance with your kiddo, check this out!
All you need:
Cornstarch
Water
Measuring Cup
Bowl
Spoon
Food coloring
Steps:
1 – Gather your materials.
2 – Place 1 cup (8 oz.) of corn starch in a bowl. You can spend a minute mixing it around with your hands to get comfortable with the texture.
3 – Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to 1/2 cup of water and stir.
4 – Pour in and stir 1/2 cup of water into the cornstarch.
4 – Play with the Oobleck. Have fun kneading it, hitting it, rolling it up into a little ball, letting it drip from your hands into the bowl. It’s fun to also mold it into a variety of shapes and then watch those shapes disappear into a liquid in the palm of your hand.
For even more excitement, make a ball out of the Oobleck by rolling it around quickly in your palms. Then, stop applying pressure to the mixture and it will flow out of your hands. You can also fill a pie plate with a thick layer of Oobleck and slap the surface with your open hand. You’ll be surprised by how all of the liquid stays on the plate because of the force you applied. You can even fill up a huge bucket with the stuff and then jump up and down on it. It won’t budge! It’s mind blowing, I know. Imagine how cool it is for the kiddos to see this all transpire! Try this on a rainy day. Your kids will be thrilled, and the mess really isn’t all that bad either. Have fun Oobleck-ing!
*To learn more about the science of Oobleck, read this article.
**It is recommended that you do not put Oobleck down the drain.
