How to Make Oobleck

Want to keep the kids entertained for hours and also have them learning at the same time? Tell them you are going to be making Oobleck! What’s Oobleck? Well, it’s kinda like slime but it’s both a solid and a liquid.

Why this project is so cool

The intriguing texture of Oobleck makes it a great sensory activity that you can incorporate into a home school science lesson! Do you remember hearing about quicksand as a kid? Well, Oobleck is the texture you’d envision quicksand to be, but luckily you won’t be falling into it!

The viscosity of Oobleck is so intriguing to play with – one minute it is goopy and slimy and the next it is like a solid dough. In other words, this substance likes to play tricks with you.

Craft supplies you will need

Helpful Project Information:

• Age Level: 4 and up
• Mess Factor: High (gooey!)
• Level of Difficulty: Easy
• Time to Complete: less than 5 minutes
• Cost Estimate: Less than $1.00

From a scientific standpoint, Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid meaning it can change viscosity with how much pressure you apply. When packed together the corn starch particles bond to create a solid and sometimes rip apart, but when you run your fingers through it slowly, it is a liquid.

You may have first heard of Oobleck from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck. In that book, Oobleck fell from the sky and the sticky mess ensued havoc for the characters.

How to Make Oobleck

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!

1. Add one cup of water to your plastic bowl.

2. Measure in approximately 1 and 1/2 cups of corn starch into the water.

3. Using plastic spoon start stirring supplies together. At some point it will get difficult to stir and this means you’ll need to start picking it up with your hands.
4. Before you start mixing with your hands add couple drops of food coloring into the mixture and stir.

5. Now start mixing with your hands until all the corn starch is mixed in thoroughly.

6. If the mixture is too slimy and runny, add more cornstarch. If it is too dry, add more water.

Oobleck is pretty forgiving and it is easy to get to the right consistency. Start molding the Oobleck into your hands. Notice how it will be runny and gloppy one minute and the next it feels like moldable dough.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• It’s best to use bowls and mixing supplies that you will throw away or save just for homemade slime and goo projects.
• Oobleck that appears in the Dr. Seuss book is green, but you can color yours with any food coloring you like.
• If working with large groups of kids, be sure to buy multiple boxes/tubs of cornstarch. A lot of cornstarch is used for this project.
• Oobleck lasts for a long time when sealed in an airtight plastic container.

• This project can get messy very quickly, so have the kids wear play clothes or have fun outside with this substance.
• Try experimenting with the Oobleck. Squeeze it tight between your fingers and watch it turn gooey and drippy, then try to pack it into a shape in your palm. Much like kinetic sand, the texture is always a surprise.

More Fun Sensory Activities

• Fluffy Slime 
• Mermaid Slime
• Coffee Ground Fossils

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5 from 2 votes

How to Make Oobleck

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid that can be both a solid and a liquid. Popularized by Dr. Seuss, it will provide hours of endless sensory activity for the kids.

Prep Time5 mins

Crafting Time0 mins

Total Time5 mins

Age Group: Kids Crafts

Project Type: Crafts

Makes: 1

Supplies

• 1.5 to 2 cups corn starch
• 1 cup water
• a few drops food coloring

Craft tools

• Plastic bowl
• Plastic spoon
• Measuring cups

Instructions

• Add one cup of water to your plastic bowl.
• Measure in approximately 1 and 1/2 cups of corn starch into the water.
• Using plastic spoon start stirring supplies together. At some point it will get difficult to stir and this means you'll need to start picking it up with your hands.
• Before you start mixing with your hands add couple drops of food coloring into the mixture and stir.
• Now start mixing with your hands until all the corn starch is mixed in thoroughly. If the mixture is too slimy and runny add more cornstarch and if it is too dry add more water. Oobleck is pretty forgiving and it is easy to get to the right consistency.
• Start molding the Oobleck into your hands. Notice how it will be runny and gloppy one minute and the next it feels like moldable dough the next. It is quite the sensory experience!

Expert Tips & FAQs

• It’s best to use bowls and mixing supplies that you will throw away or save just for slime projects.
• Oobleck that appears in the Dr. Seuss book is green, but you can colors your any color you want with your fave food color
• If working with large groups of kids, be sure to buy multiple boxes/tubs of cornstarch. A lot of cornstarch is used for this project.
• Oobleck can last for a long time when sealed in an airtight plastic container.
• This project can get messy very quickly, so have the kids wear play clothes or have fun outside with this substance