Easy Oobleck

This is one of our featured birthday activities that are sent out in our new birthday cards. This easy and fun science activity is a great way for your child to learn something new while celebrating a special birthday!

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Easy Oobleck 

You will need:

• Cornstarch
• Water
• Food colouring
• Large bowl

Instructions:

1. Pour 1 cup of cornstarch into the large bowl. Feeling this texture can be fun for children!
2. Slowly add about 1/2 cup of water to the cornstarch– add enough so the mixture has a gooey feel to it. Children can mix this with their fingers to feel the fun gooey texture!
3. And just like that, your oobleck is ready! If you want, you can add food colouring to create a fun colour
4. Now children can explore it, play with it, and form it into different shapes to see what happens!

Why does it happen?

• The oobleck you just made is a special because it doesn’t act like a typical liquid or solid
• The mixture creates a fluid that acts like quick sand: applying force (squeezing or tapping it) causes it to become thicker but dipping your hand in the mix feels like water
• This type of substance is known as a non-Newtonian liquid (from Sir Isaac Newton)
• This substance's funny name comes from a Dr. Seuss book called Bartholomew and the Oobleck