Kids love to get messy with this easy science experiment! This oobleck slime recipe is perfect for sensory development and learning cause and effect.
Are your kids curious about the world around them? Do you have budding scientists? Or do you have kids that just love to get messy? Either way, oobleck slime is super-simple and a ton of fun!
Kids that love sensory activities will love this. It’s just as fun (and safe) as my edible foam recipe.
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What Is Oobleck Slime?
Did you know the name Oobleck came from a Dr. Seuss book? Yup! It’s actually in the title, “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” The fun definition is that oobleck behaves as both a liquid and a solid.
Here’s the more technical or scientific explanation.
It’s a non-Newtonian fluid. It behaves like both a liquid and a solid. When you apply force to it, (like squeezing it) it behaves like a solid and resists motion. But when you leave it alone, it acts like a liquid.
And the best part is that oobleck is made with just two ingredients – corn starch and water!
What You Need
Here’s what you’ll need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable craft card at the bottom of this post.
Supplies
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Spoons
Ingredients
- Corn Starch
- Water
- Food Coloring (optional)
Oobleck Tips
You can use it as a science experiment that you do with your kids, or set them up and let them explore it on their own.
Here are some ways to work with your kids and teach them about the scientific parts of oobleck.
Oobleck Experiment
Helping your child explore their world is one of the most fun and rewarding things you can do! Use this borax-free slime as a way to perform the easiest science experiment ever!
Here’s how to do a science experiment in 5 minutes:
- Create a hypothesis. “What will happen if you squeeze oobleck?”
- Test your hypothesis. Mix the ingredients together and then squeeze it.
- Discuss your observations. What did it feel like? Was it runny like a liquid or firm like a solid?
- Support or reject your hypothesis. Go back to the hypothesis and decide whether the experiment supported it or not.
Older kids might be ready to learn about liquids, solids, and gasses, and who Newton was. Watch your kids and give them as much information as they keep asking for.
Dye is Optional
I used both red and blue food coloring to make the oobleck more fun for my younger kiddos. The food coloring is completely optional.
If you want to teach your kids about the color spectrum and color mixing, then let them see what happens when you mix red and yellow together, or red and blue!
Another tip: food coloring can stain the skin. Tempura paint works just as well and it washes out easier.
Can You Store Oobleck?
Don’t leave it out. If you do, it will dry out and become extra solid. If you want the oobleck to last longer, keep it in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Teach Measuring
This is also a wonderful way to introduce your kids to the importance of using exact measurements. Teach them how to pack the cornstarch into the measuring cup and use a knife to level it off.
Why is measuring so important?
Let your kids guess at how much to use without measuring.
Does it work?
Following recipes and instructions is so important because things won’t work properly if you don’t.
Video
If you’re a visual learner, here is a quick video you can watch so you can see how I made the borax-free slime.
Borax-Free Slime
Another thing I love about it is that it’s a borax-free slime. Sure, it doesn’t have the exact consistency of modern-day slime, but it’s still something that the kids love digging into!
Oobleck Recipe
Equipment
- Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Water
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
Instructions
- Pour water into a small container.
- Add cornstarch and combine – you may feel the mixture “pull” as you stir, but this is normal. Keep on mixing until everything is well-combined.
- Have fun!
Keep Learning
Here are even more easy educational crats kids will love. Learning can be fun!
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