Oobleck is so easy to make and it really is a lot of messy fun to play with. Waterbeads are another great sensory toy to play with and just combining them both together, is filled with learning and imaginative play that’s really the best part of childhood.
What is oobleck?
Oobleck is a non-newtonian fluid that is a solid under pressure, and a liquid when it is flowing freely.
What are waterbeads?
Waterbeads are a polymer-sodium polyacrylate- and they absorb water. They need to soak for at least 48 hours to reach their full size. There are mini waterbeads and giant waterbeads, and both are really cool to play with!
Side note: I found that when waterbeads are mashed, they tend to draw in the water from the oobleck itself! Pretty cool science to talk about with the kids. So with this observation, I told the kids to add in a tablespoon or two of water when the oobleck started to dry out… which naturally ended in my youngest dumping in all of the water to make what he called “Gilk”.
But if your oobleck starts to dry out when waterbeads are absorbing all of the water, just add a little more water.
Materials:
Cornstarch
Water
Bin
Waterbeads
Water
Dry Measuring spoon
Liquid measuring cup
Directions To Make Oobleck:
1: In a bin, measure in the liquid measuring cup 1 cup of water. Pour into the bin.
2: Measuring 2 cups of cornstarch in the dry measuring spoon. Carefully add in to the water.
2: Carefully hand mix to blend the two ingredients together. This ratio usually yields the perfect oobleck consistency. But if you find it too dry, then add a little more water. If it is too liquid-y, add some more cornstarch.
How To Soak WaterBeads:
For the waterbeads, I use a large bin (pictured below) to soak the waterbeads because although they are small, it ends up being plenty! DO NOT use the entire bag. Use about a quarter of a cup (1/4) of waterbeads and then soak those in the water. The water should cover the waterbeads. Let soak and add water as needed over the next 48 hours. The beads do tend to swell after a couple of hours and we usually play with them, but it take a bit longer for it to reach its full size.
Watch our tutorial video here:
Side note: it cracks me up to watch this video and see my 5 yo pressing his hands in the oobleck to try it out after I spread it out in an even layer. I had walked away to wash my hands so I didn’t see it until I edited the video. LOL.
What are some funny things you noticed when you look back in pictures or videos of your kids?
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*Adult Supervision Is Required For All Activities*