Dr. Seuss Science: Oobleck

Who doesn't love making a good mess, especially if you are under the age of 10.  My three little guys discovered the ooey-gooey greatness of a classic Dr. Seuss science experiment.

It is called Oobleck and, oh my, it is a free for all of squish.  Who knew that a little corn starch, water, and food coloring have the makings of a little boy's dream come true.

Oobleck is a non-newtonian fluid which means it acts like a liquid when being poured, but like a solid when a force is acting on it. My little boys grab it and it oozes......


right out of their hands.  They love it and this science experiment is just good, uh..., not so clean, but wholesome fun.

Oobleck gets its name from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck where a gooey green substance, Oobleck, fell from the sky and wreaked havoc in the kingdom.

We made our Oobleck in a bowl and oh the mess we made, but mostly because the boys could not resist the squish of the Oobleck.




To make Oobleck all you need is 1 cup water, 1.5 to 2 cups corn starch, and a few drops of food coloring.  (Food coloring is optional and without makes for easier cleanup)

Put water in your bowl and add the corn starch. We used spoons and then our hands to stir it up.  Slowly mix in the corn starch.

Next adding in food coloring is tricky and challenging, but fun.  Add a few drops and watch the kiddos try to mix it in the bowl.

Next is the best part: the squish step.  The boys had a fabulous time letting it glob in between their fingers, and running their fingers along the solid in the bowl.

It is wonderful fun!  Try it and see.

The Oobleck is easily cleaned up with water.  This a good thing because my guys had the Oobleck spread around so it really looked like it was falling out of the sky and wreaking havoc in my kitchen kingdom.

But what's a little mess when you are paid in smiley faces.  Have fun!