Share

Tweet

Pin 1693 shares

One of my favorite hands-on activities for kids is to make Oobleck (a.k.a Goop.) This engaging, hands-on activity is inspired by the book Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. In the book, Oobleck is a sticky green glob that falls from the sky and causes a mess in the kingdom. This sensory activity won’t cause any problems like in the book but hours of fun and entertainment for kids.

How To Make Oobleck:

Making Oobleck is a simple science experiment that you can do with your entire class or your kids at home. It’s also a fun sensory activity that will stimulate your children’s senses of touch and sight. This type of play is important because it lets your kids learn to explore, investigate, observe, experiment, and much more.

Getting Ready To Make Oobleck:

What’s Needed:

Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss

2 Cups of Corn Starch

1 Cup of Water

10 Drops of Food Coloring

Bowl or Plastic Container

Measuring Cup

Mixing Spoon

Not only is this science experiment easy for kids to do, but it’s also inexpensive so you can make it with your class or homeschool co-op. You can get all of the supplies that you need to do this activity from the Dollar Tree.

How To Make Oobleck:

To begin making this sensory activity, your kids will combine the corn starch and water in a bowl or container. The mixture will be thick and hard to stir so they may want to mix the ingredients by hand.

Next, your kids will add the food coloring and mix it with a spoon. They can continue to work the dye into the mixture with their hands, but you may want them to wear rubber gloves to prevent the dye from getting on their hands. We used green food coloring to look like the Oobleck in the Dr. Seuss book, but you can pick any color.

To store the Oobleck, place it into an airtight container or a reasealable bag. When your kids play with it again, you may need to add a little water and combine with your hands. To dispose of the mixture, throw it away. You can put it into a plastic container so it doesn’t leak out of the garbage bag. You don’t want to put the Oobleck in your sink because it might clog your drain.

Different Ways To Play With Oobleck:

After your kids squeeze, squish, and let the Oobleck ooze through their fingers, have them explore and experiment with these ideas:

Add plastic letters to the Oobleck and then try to find the letters in your name or spell a sight word.

Place the mixture in a resealable bag and practice writing letters, numbers, shapes, or your name.

Make two batches of Oobleck that are different colors and then observe what happens when you mix them together.

The Science Behind The Experiment:

Oobleck is non-Newtonian fluid. It acts like a liquid when it is being poured, but it acts more like a solid when it comes in contact with a force. You can grab Oobleck with your hand like it is a solid, but it will ooze out like it is a liquid.

Your students will love bringing the book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss to life by making their very own Oobleck at home or in the classroom.

How To Make Oobleck With Flour:

If you don’t have corn starch, you can make a version of Oobleck using flour. It doesn’t have the same consistency but will work in a pinch. Simply, substitute the corn starch with flour. You may need to adjust the recipe and add a little bit more water or flour depending on the brand of flour that you use. Then, use an electric mixer and combine the ingredients until the mixture is no longer lumpy.

Pin It For Later:

Do you want to save this book-inspired, science experiment for later? Pin this to your science or reading boards on Pinterest and it’ll be here for when you’re ready!

You May Also Like:

Are you looking for some fun activities to celebrate reading month? This Dr. Seuss Author Study has a variety of resources that your students can use throughout March to learn about Dr. Seuss and the books that he wrote. This author study includes a reading passage, craft, writing activity, character book report, and more!

If you like this book inspired activity, you make also like these crafts, resources, and more!