If you've ever wanted to learn how to make oobleck at home, à la Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, this oobleck recipe tutorial is for you! Super inexpensive and a fun kitchen science experiment...
How To Make Oobleck
Though our spring break isn't until the end of March, my kids do have the day off school today for a teacher inservice day.
Having learned my lesson after the ridiculous number of snow days we've had so far this year, I knew I needed to have a project ready that would engage them and maybe even teach them a thing or two.
My first thought was to whip out my tried-and-true salt dough recipe, but they wanted something new and different. So I decided to show them how to make oobleck! And yes, it was MESSY, but it was oh, SO much fun...
Every one of my five kids, from my 6-year-old right up to my almost 12-year-old, wanted a chance to play with it.
For those of you on a budget, you'll be thrilled that this oobleck recipe is super inexpensive. In fact, you probably have everything you need for a basic oobleck mixture sitting in your pantry already!
"It was really fun!"
This was my first time making oobleck and it worked really well!
What Is Oobleck?
While most Dr. Seuss fans are probably familiar with oobleck, for those of you that aren't, I'd encourage you to pick up a copy of Bartholomew and the Oobleck.
As with so many of his books, this is a lighthearted and fun read, with a really great moral to the story at the end.
To give a quick overview, there's an old king who wants something new to fall from the sky, so he calls on his royal magicians. They create "oobleck", a green substance that rains down. The result is a sticky, gooey, gloppy green mess that covers the entire kingdom - AND its residents.
Along the way readers realize that just maybe we should be careful what we wish for. Thankfully, the king's young pageboy, Bartholomew, saves the day by urging the king to say some simple magic words.
If you're going to show your kids how to make oobleck, picking up a copy of the book is an excellent complement to the project!
The Science Behind This Substance
The coolest thing about this slime-like substance is that it's neither a liquid nor a solid. Oobleck is actually a suspension of cornstarch and water (known as a non-Newtonian Fluid) and will behave like either, depending on the amount of pressure you apply.
Squeeze it in the palm of your hand, and it will feel like a solid ball... But when you open your hand, it will flow over and between your fingers like a liquid.
It's really the most bizarre feeling - YOU'LL want to play with this oobleck slime for hours, too!
Ingredients & Equipment
You really only need two ingredients to make this oobleck recipe - cornstarch and water! The simplest mixture to begin with is 1 ½ cups of cornstarch mixed with 1 cup of water.
If you want to add color, I recommend using tempera paint versus food coloring to prevent any staining.
As far as equipment, you'll just need a large mixing bowl. No spoon necessary! And possibly an inexpensive vinyl tablecloth to cover your workspace. Things are about to get a little sloppy...
Easy Oobleck Recipe + Printable Copy
Fair warning - this can get messy... It's possible that both you and your kids will end up covered in goo before your oobleck experiment is over! But it's the very best kind of mess.
One that's loads of fun, yet easy to clean up, AND washes out of clothes without a trace!!
How do you make oobleck? Well, you won't be able to mix it easily with a spoon. You'll have to get your hands in there and work with it until it's the right consistency.
But trust me on this, you're going to have just as much fun as the kids! Download this printable Oobleck recipe and let's get started.
2-Ingredient Oobleck Recipe
Supplies
- 2 cups corn starch, plus additional as needed
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tablespoons green tempera paint, (optional)
Instructions
- Start by adding 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water to a large mixing bowl, along with the green paint, if desired. 3 tablespoons is a good starting point, but you can use more or less or leave it out altogether.
- Using your hands, work the ingredients together until you achieve the proper suspension viscosity.
- Adjust the texture by adding more corn starch or water a little at a time. Mix well with your hands after each addition. You'll know you reached the proper consistency when it feels similar to honey or molasses, yet "tears" when you drag your fingers across the surface.
How-To Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question listed here? Leave a comment below and I will respond ASAP!
If you don't have cornstarch, you can make oobleck with another starchy flour, such as corn flour, arrowroot flour, or potato starch. Corn flour and arrowroot flour can be substituted 1:1 for cornstarch. But you may need to add additional potato flour to achieve the proper consistency.
Oobleck can be stored in an airtight container for roughly 24 hours. After this timeframe, it may start to grow mold. The cornstarch and water may start to separate as they sit, so just stir them back together and add more cornstarch or water, as needed.
For longer term storage, allow the oobleck to dry out in an open container for 2-3 days. When you're ready to play with it again, add water to restore it to the original consistency.
Oobleck should not be disposed of in the sink. Instead, seal the mixture in a ziploc bag or grocery bag, and dispose of it in your trash can.
Or let it sit for a bit until the mixture separates, pour off the excess water in the sink, and throw out the remaining sludge in your trash can.
More Fun Activities For Kids
If you enjoyed making this recipe for oobleck, you might also enjoy these other fun activities for kids:
- Simple 3-Ingredient Salt Dough (No Bake!)
- Easy 4-Ingredient Glitter Slime (No Borax!)
- DIY Easy Bake Oven Mixes (Save $$$)
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your oobleck turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Alyssa says
This was my first time making oobleck and worked really well! It was really fun too! I only had half a thing of corn starch, so I cut the recipe in half so just in case I need to add more I could. Thank you!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Great, so glad it worked for you! I noticed recently that not all corn starch brands at the grocery store are labeled as "pure corn starch". Wondering if that could have something to do with the issues a few people have shared? Haven't tested it yet, but I will try a few soon.
Amelia says
good made it at brownies when I used to go
Desiree says
This turned into a liquid similar to milk, not usable at all. We made a trip to the store for cornstarch and this took the whole container and so we couldn’t add more cornstarch and the whole activity couldn’t happen. Thanks.