How to Make Oobleck for a Dr. Seuss Party
Dr. Seuss' 1949 book "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" introduced many people to the word oobleck. It's a goop that can act like a solid or a liquid. It can be formed into a solid ball, but can just as easily ooze out of the user's fingers as soon as the person releases his grip. A real version is easy to make, but it is a messy toy. Play with it outside or be prepared to do a lot of cleaning up. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1 1/2 cups cornstarch
- 2 cups of warm water
- Mixing spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Food coloring
Instructions
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Place the cornstarch in the mixing bowl, and slowly add the water. The cornstarch will not dissolve in the water, but will be suspended within the liquid.
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Add a few drops of food coloring to the bowl.
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Stir the mix until it dissolves and takes form.
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Roll the obleck into a ball, or stretch it out over newsprint. It should pick up the newsprint, and the ball should be strong enough to toss between people.
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Store the oobleck in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. Sweep or vacuum any left-over oobleck, and throw it away. Do not pout it down a drain.
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Tips & Warnings
Oobleck can also be made for a class of 30 children by using cornstarch instead of Borax. Put six cups of warm water in a large mixing bowl and add green food coloring a drop at a time until the water turns green. Next mix ten cups of cornstarch, one cup at a time. Mix thoroughly and have some extra cornstarch on hand in case its not stiff enough. Pass a glob in a small paper cup to each student.
