How to make Oobleck with and Without Cornstarch (Your Quick Guide)

if you have ever wanted to make oobleck with your kids at home, then this tutorial is for you as we will be providing you with a step-by-step guide on how to make oobleck with and without cornstarch.

Oobleck is a fascinating non-Newtonian fluid that can be both a solid and a liquid, depending on how it is handled. It was named after a sticky substance in a Dr Seuss book and has become a popular science experiment and sensory play material. 

Making Oobleck is a fun and educational activity that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you can create your own Oobleck and explore its unique properties. 

In this article, we will guide you through the process of making Oobleck and provide some tips and tricks for achieving perfect consistency. We will also explore the science behind this fascinating substance and share some fun ways to play with it.

How to make Oobleck (Video Tutorial)

Ingredients and Equipment for Oobleck. 

To make oobleck, you will need the following ingredients:

• Cornstarch: This is the main ingredient in oobleck, and you’ll need about two cups for a standard recipe.
• Water: You’ll need approximately one cup of water to mix with the cornstarch.
• Food colouring (optional): You’ll need a few drops of food colouring if you want to add colour to your oobleck.
• Essential oil (optional): If you want to add scent to your oobleck, you can use a few drops of essential oil.

In addition to these ingredients, you’ll also need some basic equipment, including:

1. Mixing bowl: You’ll need a large mixing bowl to combine the cornstarch and water.
2. Spoon or whisk or spatula: You’ll need a utensil to mix the cornstarch and water together thoroughly.
3. Measuring cups and spoons: You’ll need measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure the cornstarch, water, food colouring, and essential oil.
4. Plastic sheet or tray (optional): If you plan on playing with Oobleck, it can get quite messy. Using a plastic sheet or tray can make clean-up much easier.

Ensure all your equipment is clean and dry before making your oobleck.

Step-by-step instructions for making Oobleck with Cornstarch 

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making oobleck:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add two cups of cornstarch.
2. Slowly pour in one cup of water, stirring the mixture continuously with a spoon or whisk.
3. Keep stirring until the cornstarch and water are completely combined.
4. If you want to add colour to your oobleck, add a few drops of food colouring to the mixture and stir until the colour is evenly distributed.
5. If you want to add scent to your oobleck, add a few drops of essential oil and stir to distribute.
6. Continue stirring the mixture until it becomes thick and gooey. You should be able to pick up the oobleck with your hands and form it into a ball.
7. If the mixture is too runny, add more cornstarch, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
8. If the mixture is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Once you have the desired consistency, you’re ready to play with your oobleck!

Note: Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it behaves differently from other fluids. When you apply pressure, it becomes solid, but when you release it, it becomes liquid again. It’s important to keep this in mind when you’re playing with your oobleck!

Related: 50 Fun and Easy Drawing Ideas to Help you Beat Boredom

Tips for making Oobleck

here are some tips for making oobleck:

1. Use the right ratio: The key to making perfect oobleck is getting the right ratio of cornstarch to water. The recommended ratio is two parts cornstarch to one part water.
2. Mix it slowly: When mixing the cornstarch and water, do it slowly and carefully. If you mix too fast, it will become too watery and not have the right consistency.
3. Adjust as needed: If your oobleck is too thin, add more cornstarch. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. Keep adjusting until you get the right consistency.
4. Use food colouring: Add food colouring to make your oobleck more colourful and fun. You can use one colour or mix several colours together.
5. Play with it: The best part of making oobleck is playing with it! Try different ways to play with it, such as squeezing it, poking it, or even walking on it.
6. Clean up quickly: Oobleck can be messy, so make sure to clean up any spills or messes right away. Making oobleck in a large, easy-to-clean container is also a good idea.
7. Don’t pour it down the drain: Don’t pour it down the drain when you’re done playing with oobleck. It can clog your pipes. Instead, dispose of it in the trash.

Related: What is Pepperoni Made of? Here are the 8 secret Ingredients

Oobleck Recipe Without Cornstarch using (using Tapioca powder)

Ingredients

1. 1½ to 2 cups (190 to 250 g) of arrowroot powder or tapioca powder
2. 1 cup (240 mL) of room-temperature water
3. Food colouring (optional)

Instructions

1. Pour 1½ to 2 cups of tapioca powder into a large bowl. Tapioca powder is a popular substitute for cornstarch in cooking.
2. When making Oobleck, you can use them the same way as cornstarch without any modifications.
3. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of room-temperature water. Do not bother about the amounts just yet. You are good to go as long as the proportions are similar. You can always make adjustments later.
4. Add some food colouring to the water to make your oobleck more colourful. Start with 2 to 3 drops, then add more until you get the colour you want.
5. Mix the oobleck with your hands or a rubber spatula. Anyone you are comfortable with. However, you can pull on a pair of plastic gloves if you don’t want your hands to get messy.
6. Mix the oobleck until the ingredients combine. At this point,  your tapioca mix should start behaving like a non-Newtonian fluid.
7. Add more powder or water if needed. This is mostly up to your preferences. But an ideal oobleck flows like water when left alone and acts like a solid when pressure is applied. If it isn’t to your liking, you can try adding more powder if it is watery or add more water if it is too hard. 

Related: Green Tea Shot Recipe: Shake Up Your Evenings with this Shot Sensation

Exploring Science behind Oobleck. 

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it behaves differently than a typical Newtonian fluid like water. The scientific explanation for this is that oobleck has a unique property called shear thickening, which means it becomes thicker and more viscous when subjected to force or stress.

When pressure is applied to oobleck, such as by squeezing it in your hand or hitting it with a hammer, the cornstarch particles become packed together, making the mixture thicker and harder to move. This is what gives oobleck its unique properties, such as the ability to behave like a solid when pressure is applied but like a liquid when left alone.

This phenomenon is due to the way the cornstarch particles interact with the water molecules. When the cornstarch is mixed with water, it creates a suspension of particles in the liquid. The particles are too large to dissolve and remain suspended in the water.

When force is applied, the particles start to pack together, creating a more solid-like substance. This is why oobleck can be formed into a ball or a solid shape when pressure is applied. However, as soon as the pressure is released, the particles loosen up and the oobleck returns to its liquid-like state.

Overall, oobleck is a fascinating substance that showcases the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids and has potential applications in a wide range of industries.

Ways to Play with OObleck

Here are some fun ways to play with Oobleck:

1. Sink or Float

Place small objects such as coins, marbles, or plastic toys in a container of oobleck and see if they sink or float. The unique texture of the oobleck makes this game more challenging and exciting.

2. Oobleck Painting

Add a few drops of food colouring to the oobleck and use it as a unique paint medium. Children can use their fingers or brushes to create colourful and messy works of art.

3. Oobleck Slime

Mix oobleck with a small amount of liquid glue to create a stretchy, squishy slime. Children can mould it into various shapes and use it for sensory play.

4. Oobleck Pools

Create small pools of oobleck on a tray or cookie sheet, and let children use small toys or figurines to splash and play in the pools.

5. Oobleck Sensory Bins

Place oobleck in a sensory bin with small toys, scoops, and measuring cups. Children can use their hands to explore the unique texture and learn about cause and effect.

6. Oobleck Races

Place two small containers of oobleck on opposite sides of a table and use straws to blow the oobleck from one container to the other. The first person to transfer all the oobleck wins the race.

Related: Pumpkin Carving Ideas: 38 Carving Inspo

Conclusion

In conclusion, making oobleck is a fun and educational activity for children and adults alike. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic equipment, you can create a non-Newtonian fluid that can be used for a wide range of sensory play and scientific experiments. 

Following the step-by-step instructions and tips outlined in this article, you can achieve the perfect oobleck consistency and add colour and scent to make it even more engaging. From sink or float games to oobleck painting, there are many fun ways to play with oobleck and explore the unique properties of this fascinating substance.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just looking for a fun and creative activity, making oobleck is sure to provide hours of entertainment and learning.

Related: Best Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe

FAQs