It’s a Solid…It’s a Liquid…It’s Oobleck!

The last time we made Oobleck was during our Messy Toddler Tuesday Sensory Art Class. And guess who landed up playing with it the most? The Moms of course!!!

What is Oobleck?

Before we start let’s talk about just what oobleck is. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, a fancy term for a liquid whose viscosity changes depending on pressure. Viscosity is the measure of friction in a liquid and determines how fast or slow a liquid flows. Most liquids have what we call consistent viscosity, for instance honey and water will always flow the same no matter how you pour or press them. Oobleck on the other hand does not have consistent viscosity. If you apply pressure to it, it forms a solid, loosen the pressure and it melt back into a liquid. Because the viscosity changes, it is classified as a non-Newtonian fluid.

Is Oobleck a solid or a liquid?

It’s actually both! Oobleck behaves like a solid or a liquid depending on the pressure exerted on it.  Press it together and it feels solid, let is sit in your hand and it drips like a liquid.

Ingredients:

• Cornstarch
• Water
• Food Coloring (optional)

Directions:

Mix 2 cups of cornstarch to 1 cup of water into a bowl. Mix the cornstarch and water until your oobleck is formed. Tip: If you would like to color your oobleck, add your food coloring to your water and then mix with the cornstarch.

Best to use in a plastic rubber maid tub or a larger bowl. Always remember to wear an art shirt and cover your surface for crafty messes! For younger children you can even throw in some plastic dinosaurs, bugs, unicorns etc. for them to discover inside their Oobleck!