Boredom Buster: Oobleck

Warning! Don't do this activity unless don't mind a mess and are ready to have a lot of fun!


It's been really cold here in OK lately. We even had some unseasonal snow!

We don't get outside much because of the dreary cold weather. And on top of that the kids area at our local gym has been closed since December for remodeling. Being cooped up inside has led to a stir crazy Con-Man. This got me wondering how Con-Man and I were going to spend an afternoon and my mind wandered back to the 5th grade when our teacher read us the Dr. Suess book Bartholomew and The Oobleck. 

After she read the story we made Oobleck and played with it in the classroom. It's an interesting substance in that is is neither a liquid nor a solid. You can punch it with your palm but if you try to pick it up it acts like a liquid and slips through your hands.

I thought it would be a fun experiment for the Con-Man and I to try out. I found a great recipe on Instructables that even has a video. 

I had all the ingredients on hand- Cornstarch, water, and food coloring.

Mix 1 cup water with 1.5- 2 cups of cornstarch. Start with the water first then add the cornstarch a few tablespoons at a time. When your getting close to using most of your cornstarch add it more slowly, use your hands if necessary to mix it in. You want to get it to a state where it's not a liquid anymore but not so solid that it doesn't run though your fingers when you try to pick it up. Play with it some to get the right consistency.

Once you have the right feeling of weirdness add your food coloring. I used green since that what color it was in the book. Now it's time to play!

Con-Man was a little wary at first but he quickly went into mess making mode.

This was a great afternoon project because I had everything on hand to make it, it was easy to make, and it kept Con-Man occupied for almost an hour. Next time I do this I'll try to get the book from the library first and read it to him.

Though it splattered everywhere clean up wasn't to bad. Once it dries you can just wipe it up or take a damp towel and clean it up.

Has anyone else ever made Oobleck before?