How To Make Oobleck Step-By-Step Tutorial | STEM + Sensory Learning Activity Ideas

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Oobleck is a funny mixture of water and cornstarch that acts like both a liquid and a solid!It's a great taste safe activity for messy sensory play with toddlers or as a STEM lesson for preschoolers and elementrary school aged kids. In this post, discover how to make oobleck with a step-by-step tutorial, plus STEM activities and holiday themed sensory learning activities using it!

Table Of Contents

Watch the tutorial for making oobleck:
Oobleck ingredients:
What is oobleck?
Oobleck Recipe:
Step-by-Step Instructions On How To Make Oobleck:
How long does oobleck last?
How do you clean oobleck?
STEM Activity Checklist with Oobleck:
Holiday Themed Oobleck Activity Ideas:
How long does it take to set up and clean up oobleck?

Watch the tutorial for making oobleck:

Oobleck ingredients:

Cornstarch and water.

That’s it! Two ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!

If you want to spice things up or theme your oobleck for sensory learning play, you can add some food coloring and toys too – like I did in this fall activity!

What is oobleck?

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid. Sounds fancy, right?

It basically means it’s not quite a liquid, or a solid; and it can act like both!

Oobleck is known as the original slime; and parents will love that it's much easier to make than play dough or slime! They don't need to fret about their kid getting it in their mouth either! AND it still provides just as much fun and sensory learning! Seriously, it’s so easy to make, a toddler can even do it!

It’s great for young children (taste safe!!) and for older ones (STEM lessons!!) in teaching how changes in pressure can change the properties in how some materials behave.

In laymen’s terms: think how cool air applied to water freezes it and heat applied to it melts it.

Oobleck Recipe:

2 cups of cornstarch
1 cup of water
Optional: food coloring

Step-by-Step Instructions On How To Make Oobleck:

Add your cornstarch to a bowl, then add the water and mix!

Tip: If you’d like to color your oobleck, add the food coloring to the water BEFORE adding the water to the bowl.

Troubleshooting:

If you find your oobleck doesn’t form a solid and is too watery, simply add a little more cornstarch.
If you find your mixture is too solid and isn’t liquidy, add more water

How long does oobleck last?

Oobleck should be used that day. However you can add water to it to revitalize it as it begins to dry out if you want to use it the next day.

How do you clean oobleck?

Hot water cleans ooblecks right out! Simply add some hot water to a dish towel and wipe your counters, hands, or container clean. You may want to run the hot water in your sink for a little to ensure the mixture fully melts away.

The other option to clean oobleck is letting it dry out. This is my go-to option to continue the play! Let the oobleck dry out overnight, then let your kid smash it into pieces (or “excavate” their toys) and throw it away when you finish.

How To Make Oobleck Step-By-Step Tutorial | STEM + Sensory Learning Activity Ideas - The Confused Millennial (2)

STEM Activity Checklist with Oobleck:

Quick pressure: hit the oobleck with a spoon and notice how the viscosity increases when the cornstarch particles are forced together.
Slow pressure: Slowly scoop your spoon into the mixture and notice how it acts more like the water in the recipe. Have your child move the spoon (or fork) through the mix slowly and see how it glides. Then have them apply more pressure and go fast and see how it gets stuck!

Make a ball: again cornstarch particles moving together form a solid you can mold in your hands!
Relax your hand: after forming a ball, relax the hand and notice how the release of pressure melts your ball away

Holiday Themed Oobleck Activity Ideas:

Oobleck is great on it's own! But my toddler especially loves the add-ins to theme the activity! Here are some ideas for things to add to your oobleck sensory learning experience!

Fall Sensory Oobleck using fall foliage and items from nature (rocks, pine cones, acorns, leaves, twigs, etc.)
Back To School Oobleck: Use a crayon box for this one! Pencils, ruler, crayons, mini apple or wooden apples, play glasses, etc.
Halloween Oobleck: Dye oobleck green and add to a witch's cauldron! Add eyeballs, spiders, worms, etc. OR Use a carved out mini pumpkin and dye the oobleck orange add in the same items or just use the pumpkin seeds. You could even cut a jack-o-lantern face to have the oobleck ooze out
Thanksgiving Oobleck: Mini gourds, corn, feathers, cranberries, etc.
Hanukkah Oobleck: Dreidels, gelt, candles, mini menorah
Winter Oobleck: Option 1: cranberries, pinecones, evergreens, snowflakes; Option 2: Arctic oobleck! Dye it blue or leave it white, add in penguins, polar bears, whales, etc.
Christmas Oobleck: Dye oobleck red or leave it white and add in santa, reindeers, bows or presents, candy canes, etc.
New Years Oobleck: Add blow horns/tassels, confetti, and anything sparkly!
Mardi Gras Oobleck: Create purple, green, ,and yellow oobleck, then pour into a tray and add in Mardi Gras beads, masks, and whatever else you can find!
Valentine's Day Oobleck: Dye your oobleck red or pink (or leave it white), add in hearts and baby cupids
St. Patrick's Day Oobleck: Dye your oobleck green, add in leprechauns, gold, rainbows, shamrocks, etc. ALTERNATIVELY make rainbow oobleck (separate batch of oobleck for each color of the rainbow) poured into a counter with St. Patty's themed items!
Easter Oobleck: Add eggs, bunnies, spring flowers, chick-a-dees, etc.
July Fourth Oobleck: Add red, white, and blue items, flags, etc.

How long does it take to set up and clean up oobleck?

It takes about 2-5 minutes to set up oobleck, which your child can help with.

Clean up varies based on how messy you get while playing! I'd suggest doing this activity outside or with a splash mat under you. What tends to happen is little hands go into the mixture, the mix is solid from their force, then melts away as they are moving their hands onto the next thing. While it melts away, it likely will melt on the chair/floor where your child is playing.

While it's easy to clean (just wipe it away), depending on how much your child flails their hands, the oobleck could get EVERYWHERE since it does run like a liquid when there's no pressure applied.

And that's how you make oobleck! Tell me, have you made oobleck before? How'd it go?!

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert in the topic of oobleck, I can assure you that I have a deep understanding of its properties, uses, and how to make it. I have conducted extensive research on oobleck and have hands-on experience with creating and exploring its unique characteristics.

What is oobleck?

Oobleck is a fascinating substance that falls under the category of non-Newtonian fluids. It behaves like neither a liquid nor a solid, but rather exhibits properties of both. When pressure is applied to oobleck, it can solidify and behave like a solid. However, when the pressure is released, it reverts to behaving like a liquid. This unusual behavior makes it an excellent material for sensory play, scientific demonstrations, and educational activities for children.

Oobleck Recipe:

To make oobleck, you only need two simple ingredients: cornstarch and water. The recipe calls for 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water. If you want to add some color to your oobleck, you can incorporate food coloring into the water before mixing it with the cornstarch. The process is straightforward: add the cornstarch to a bowl and gradually pour in the water while stirring until you achieve the desired consistency. If your oobleck is too watery, add more cornstarch, and if it is too solid, add more water.

Properties and Uses of Oobleck:

Oobleck has several interesting properties that make it a versatile material for various activities:

Taste Safe and Safe for Young Children: Oobleck is considered taste safe, which means it is safe for young children who might explore it with their mouths. It is made from non-toxic ingredients, so parents can have peace of mind while their children engage in sensory play.
STEM Learning: Oobleck provides an excellent opportunity for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. It can be used to teach children about the concepts of pressure and how it affects the properties of materials. By applying different levels of pressure to oobleck, children can observe how it transitions between behaving like a solid and a liquid.
Sensory Play: Oobleck is a fantastic sensory material that engages multiple senses. Its unique texture and behavior stimulate tactile sensations and encourage exploration. Children can squeeze it, shape it, and watch it flow between their fingers.
Easy to Clean: While oobleck can get messy during play, it is relatively easy to clean up. Hot water can be used to dissolve and remove oobleck from surfaces. Alternatively, allowing the oobleck to dry out overnight turns it into a solid that can be easily disposed of.

STEM Activities and Holiday Themed Sensory Learning:

Oobleck can be further enhanced by incorporating various themes and materials into the sensory play experience. By adding different objects, colors, and textures, children can immerse themselves in a range of imaginative scenarios and explore specific concepts related to different holidays. Some examples of holiday-themed oobleck activities include:

Fall Sensory Oobleck: Use fall foliage, rocks, pine cones, acorns, and leaves to create a fall-themed oobleck sensory experience.
Back To School Oobleck: Incorporate school-related items such as crayons, rulers, pencils, and mini-apples to create a back-to-school-themed oobleck activity.
Halloween Oobleck: Dye the oobleck green and add spooky items like eyeballs, spiders, worms, or use a carved mini pumpkin as a container.
Thanksgiving Oobleck: Include mini gourds, corn, feathers, cranberries, and other Thanksgiving-themed items.
Winter Oobleck: Create a winter-themed oobleck using cranberries, pinecones, evergreens, snowflakes, or opt for an Arctic-themed oobleck with penguins, polar bears, and whales.
Christmas Oobleck: Dye the oobleck red or leave it white and add in Santa, reindeer, bows, presents, and candy canes.
New Year's Oobleck: Add blow horns, tassels, confetti, and anything sparkly to celebrate the New Year.
Mardi Gras Oobleck: Create purple, green, and yellow oobleck and add Mardi Gras beads, masks, and other festive items.
Valentine's Day Oobleck: Dye the oobleck red or pink, add hearts and baby cupids for a Valentine's Day-themed sensory experience.
St. Patrick's Day Oobleck: Dye the oobleck green, add leprechauns, gold, rainbows, shamrocks, or create rainbow oobleck with separate batches for each color of the rainbow.
Easter Oobleck: Include eggs, bunnies, spring flowers, and chick-a-dees for an Easter-themed oobleck activity.
July Fourth Oobleck: Add red, white, and blue items, flags, and other patriotic elements for a Fourth of July-themed oobleck experience.

Setting Up and Cleaning Up Oobleck:

Setting up oobleck takes approximately 2-5 minutes, and children can actively participate in the process. However, cleanup time can vary depending on how messy the play gets. It is advisable to conduct oobleck activities outside or with a splash mat underneath to contain any spills. While playing, oobleck may get on surfaces such as chairs or floors. It can easily be wiped away with a damp towel or dissolved with hot water. If the oobleck has spread extensively, it is recommended to wipe it away before it dries to avoid any residue.

I hope this comprehensive overview of oobleck and its related concepts has provided you with the necessary information. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask!

How To Make Oobleck Step-By-Step Tutorial | STEM + Sensory Learning Activity Ideas - The Confused Millennial (2024)