How To Oobleck For Fun Sensory Play

To Tutorial

Do you want your kids to be entertained for hours? Make this easy Oobleck recipe to do just that. Discover how to make Oobleck with two simple pantry ingredients in minutes for a creative science & sensory play.

child's hands playing in orange gooey Oobleck.

This Oobleck tutorial has been a long-time reader favorite since its publication in September 2023. This post was recently updated in October 2025 with more concise instructions and with my key takeaways.

I love combining science, art, and sensory fun together! From simple raised salt paintings to easy homemade playdough recipes, there is always an inexpensive way to get creative and let kids explore with hands-on fun.

Why Kids Love Oobleck

FUN FOR ALL – From toddlers to older children, everyone loves that magical feeling of squeezing solid Oobleck and then it melting through your fingers.
SUPER INEXPENSIVE – You probably already have everything you need in your pantry!
GREAT SCIENCE IDEA – Kids will be amazed at how this substance can change states of matter. True hands-on learning!

ART TEACHER TIP – Note that this is messy, so it may be one you want to do outside.

What is Oobleck?

The term Oobleck refers to a green substance from the Dr. Seuss book, Bartholomew and The Oobleck, where a curious king asks for something new to fall from the sky – and ends with a green gooey mess taking over his kingdom.

This story is a fun way to mix literature, art and science! And don’t worry about this particular Dr. Seuss book being appropriate. It is not one that is being questioned for being appropriate for children in this day in age.

How To Use For Science Experiments

The best part of this fascinating substance is that you can discuss different states of matter with your littlest scientists. Since Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, it provides an excellent opportunity for young children to experience both the liquid and solid states simultaneously.

The amount of pressure applied to the mixture of cornstarch determines if it is in liquid form or solid.

VIDEO RESOURCE – This quick YouTube video offers additional information about non-Newtonian fluids.

box of yellow corn starch and measuring with water with text 2 cups cornstarch and 1 cup water.

Supplies You’ll Need

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Large Mixing Bowl
2 Cups Cornstarch
Water
Optional: Washable Paint or Food Coloring

Just note that the ratio of cornstarch to water may vary depending on your climate and altitude.

How To Make 2-Ingredient Oobleck

hand mixing white powder cornstarch and water in white bowl.

Step 1: Mix Cornstarch and Water

Mix 2 parts cornstarch with 1 part water slowly. Add the water in slowly and mix it until you get the right consistency that you are looking for.

plastic clear spoon in white gooey mixture in bowl.

Step 2: Keep Mixing

You may be able to stir with a spoon or you have to get your hands in there to mix it up. Don’t worry adults have fun playing with this fun sensory activity.

bowl with white Oobleck and spoon with some dropping off into bowl.

Step 3: Find The Right Consistency

If you add too much water, you can always mix in more cornstarch.

red food coloring added to white gooey Oobleck with plastic orange cookie cutter in bowl.

Step 4: Add Color

This step is optional. Add a few drops of food coloring or washable paint to the mixture and stir.

Food Coloring vs. Washable Paint

Gel food coloring will give more vibrant colors, but may stain your hands. If you are not concerned about a child putting anything in their mouth, you can use a small amount of washable tempera paint to avoid the staining that may occur with food coloring.

TRY THIS – Ask students or kids, “Is Oobleck a solid or a liquid?” and let them explain their reasoning and observations.

The Ooleck will appear to be breaking if you apply too much pressure when trying to pick it up. And you will notice that if you don’t apply any pressure, your fingers will slowly sink into the Oobleck or it will run through your fingers.

Tips & Activities

USE STURDY CONTAINERS – Make sure your containers can withstand all the mixing.
ADD WATER SLOWLY – The first time we made this Oobleck recipe, we added too much water, too quickly and had a sloppy mess.
ADD TOYS – Small plastic dinosaurs, cars and other small toys are fun for young children to bury and play with.
COVER YOUR WHOLE HAND – Kids will love seeing their hand buried in the Oobleck.
ADD EXTRAS – Glitter, beads or other colors can add a fun twist.

Clean Up & Storage

You can save Oobleck for about 24 hours in an airtight container. It may last longer, but check for mold after that timeframe.

After 24 hours, you can also let the water evaporate, allowing you to reconstitute the cornstarch at a later time. Once it dries, you could consider making cloud dough with lotion or even a conditioner cloud dough.

Oobleck Recipe FAQs

How do you easily clean up Oobleck?

It is actually easiest if you let it dry before trying to clean it up. Once it becomes more like cornstarch again, you can vacuum it up. Alternatively, you can place it in a plastic bag and throw it away in the trash. You do not want to put the gooey substance down your drain.

Is Oobleck a solid or a liquid?

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid because behaves like a solid and liquid. It acts like a solid when you squeeze or add pressure to it.

What happens if my Oobleck dries out?

When you play with Oobleck a lot it naturally will dry out. You can add a little extra water to revive it.

What if my child doesn’t like to get messy?

You can still have fun using Oobleck without physically touching it. Try playing with the oobleck using large spoons, skewers, or even baskets and strainers.

What else can you use to make Oobleck?

Other types of starchy flour, such as tapioca flour, potato starch, or arrowroot flour, can also work. You may need to test the ingredient ratios. You can also make Oobleck with baby powder.

Related Fun Activities For Kids

Making Oobleck is such a fun sensory activity for kiddos! Kids love the opportunity to get a little messy, and parents and teachers love the opportunity for a fun science discussion.

Do you like this art project? Please give us a 5-STAR review below ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and have fun being creative with your family.

Prep:5

Creating:2

Total Time:7

Equipment

Bowl
Bartholomew's and The Oobleck optional

Supplies

2 cups Cornstarch
1 cup Water
Food Coloring

Instructions

Add cornstarch to a bowl.
Stir in half of the water slowly and mix. Add the remaining water.
Adjust accordingly to get the right consistency.
Optional: Add a few drops of food coloring to create a fun effect.
Use toys and have fun with your Oobleck.

Notes

Doubling up on your disposable bowls will guarantee to be strong enough to support all the playing.
You can double or triple the amount of materials used for even more fun.
You can let the bowl sit up to dry up so you can reuse the cornstarch for other fun crafts and activities.
Add too much pressure when trying to pick it up the Oobleck will look like it is breaking.
If you don’t apply any pressure, your fingers will slowly sink into the Oobleck or it will run through your fingers.

Author: Erin Nutter

Cost: under $2