Buzz
Oobleck is an easy-to-make substance with some fascinating physical properties. It is an example of a non-Newtonian fluid. While most liquids like water and alcohol always flow, Oobleck can be held in your hand and turns into a solid when subjected to force. The name 'Oobleck' comes from the 1949 children's book 'Bartholomew and the Oobleck' by Dr. Seuss, which tells the story of a king who is bored with the weather in his palace and wishes for something entirely new to fall from the sky.
Steps
Making Oobleck
Place 1 cup of cornstarch into a large bowl. You can mix the cornstarch with your hands for about a minute to get familiar with its texture. Alternatively, use a fork to stir it lightly, making it smooth and easier to mix in the next steps.
Add 4-5 drops of food coloring to ½ cup of water if you wish to color your Oobleck. While food coloring isn't necessary for creating color in Oobleck, many people enjoy adding vibrant hues for a more exciting experience compared to the plain white paste. To color your Oobleck, simply drop the coloring into the water and stir before adding it to the cornstarch. This ensures the color is evenly mixed throughout the mixture.
- Add more drops for a deeper color.
Mix ½ cup of water into the cornstarch. It's important to use half the amount of water compared to the cornstarch, with a ratio of 2 cups of cornstarch to 1 cup of water. Stir thoroughly using your hands or a spoon to combine the water and cornstarch.
Test the Oobleck by forming a ball with your hands. The trickiest part of making Oobleck is getting the right proportions. It's challenging to measure exactly 2 parts cornstarch and 1 part water due to factors like moisture, food coloring, and water temperature, which all contribute to variations. When you hold Oobleck in your hands, it will feel like it's melting away.
- If you can't form a ball (because it's too runny), add cornstarch, one tablespoon at a time. Stir well and keep testing.
- If the mixture doesn't flow like liquid when you scoop it up with your hands, it’s too thick. Add water, one tablespoon at a time.
Using Oobleck
Play with the Oobleck. First, hold the Oobleck in your hands, then knead, punch, roll it, let it drip through your fingers into a bowl, and mold it into any shape you like. You can also:
- Mix with other colors to create new designs.
- Place the Oobleck into a strainer or a similar container (such as a strawberry basket) to observe how it flows differently compared to regular water.
Experiment with Oobleck. Once you’re familiar with the texture of Oobleck, try seeing what happens when you apply pressure to it or leave it still for a minute before picking it up. Here are a few experiments you can try with Oobleck:
- Form Oobleck into a ball by rolling it between your hands. Then, stop applying force and watch as it flows out of your hands.
- Pour a thick layer of Oobleck into a cake pan and gently tap the surface. You'll be amazed to see how the liquid stays in the pan due to the force you've applied.
- Swap the cake pan for a large tub or a big plastic container filled with Oobleck, then try jumping on it.
- Put Oobleck in the freezer and observe what happens. Then, try applying heat to the Oobleck. Do you notice any differences?
Cleaning Oobleck. You can use warm water to wash Oobleck off your hands, clothes, or the surface where you were playing or making Oobleck. It's fine if a little Oobleck spills while washing dishes, but avoid letting too much get into the sink.
- If Oobleck dries, it will turn into a powder that you can easily sweep up, vacuum, or wipe away with a cloth.
Storing Oobleck. Place your Oobleck in a sealed container or a zippered bag. You can take it out to play with again whenever you like. After playing, don’t throw it down the drain, as it could clog your pipes. Instead, dispose of it in the trash.
- You may need to add water to the Oobleck before playing with it again.
Tips
- Anything you put into Oobleck (such as toy dinosaurs) should be washed with soap and water.
- If you don't have cornstarch, you can substitute it with Johnson & Johnson® baby powder.
- Playing with Oobleck is so much fun! It’s perfect for a birthday party because kids love it!
- When Oobleck dries, you can easily clean it up with a vacuum cleaner.
- Store Oobleck in a sealed container and remember to stir it occasionally.
- It's best to line the surface with newspaper when doing experiments to keep Oobleck from sticking to furniture.
- If you add food coloring, Oobleck may get messier, but it creates awesome effects!
- Occasionally add water to your Oobleck to keep it from drying out.
- Don’t leave Oobleck exposed to air.
- Sprinkle a little glitter into your Oobleck to make it sparkle.
- Make sure your container or bag is tightly sealed to prevent the Oobleck from drying out.
- When adding cornstarch, be sure to mix it thoroughly.
Warnings
- Oobleck is non-toxic, but its taste is awful. Be sure to wash your hands after playing, and supervise children while they play.
- Avoid getting Oobleck on chairs, floors, or sidewalks, as it can be very difficult to clean off certain surfaces.
- Never pour Oobleck down the drain, as it can clog your pipes.
- Wear old clothes, as Oobleck can get messy.
- Cover surfaces with newspaper to prevent Oobleck from staining tables or floors.
- Don't worry too much if Oobleck ends up somewhere it shouldn’t; it can be cleaned up with a little water.
- Be careful not to leave Oobleck out for too long, as it will dry out and turn into cornstarch. Simply throw it away in the trash when you're done playing with it.
What You’ll Need
- Cornstarch (also known as corn flour)
- Water
- A bowl
- Food coloring (optional)
- A sealed container (for storage)
- Glitter (optional)
