The Easiest Oobleck Recipe (2024)

Author: Beth Published: 08/16/2023 Updated: 08/16/2023

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Looking for a quick and simple recipe to make oobleck? Our no-fuss, easy oobleck recipe is straightforward and quick to whip up with items that I guarantee you already have in your kitchen. If you have been searching for new ways to keep your kids entertained, engaged, and interested in sensory play, look no further than oobleck! This crazy cool sensory material is the ultimate hands-on way to engage in messy play – our favorite! Keep reading to learn how to make our easy oobleck recipe, and check out some of our favorite ways to play with it!

RELATED: Sensory play offers so many learning opportunities for toddlers! One of our favorite messy ways to play is with shaving cream – don’t miss these shaving cream sensory activities here!

What is oobleck?

Oobleck is a sensory play substance that is both a solid and a liquid—also known to our science-based nerds as a non-Newtonian substance. Since sensory play is so important for growth and development, why not make it more fun and messy with oobleck?!

Playing with oobleck is a definite hands-on experience, so prep and prepare your mind, your toddler, and your space appropriately to embrace this at-home sensory activity fun! And if you’re hesitant to take on oobleck, never fear! Take your sensory bin outside for a fun summer sensory activity!

RELATED: Sensory play is a wonderful way for kids to develop fine motor skills and independent play! Not sure where to begin? Here’s how to introduce your toddler to sensory play.

Our favorite easy oobleck recipe

Making oobleck is so simple. For something that acts in such a complex way, oobleck is ironically one of the most accessible sensory play materials that you can make at home. I can bet you already have everything right in your kitchen.

The ONLY ingredients you need are:

Cornstarch
Water

Here’s how to make oobleck:

Measure 1.5 cups of cornstarch into a bowl
Add 1 cup of water
Mix the cornstarch and water together with your hands
Optional to add a bit of tempura paint for fun color play (avoid food coloring, it will stain!)
Play!

PRO TIP: You will know your oobleck is ready once it feels smooth like honey, but can stretch and rip with your hands. If your mixture is not quite there, add more cornstarch or water until you get the right consistency!

Sensory play supplies

Getting a mat for your child to sit on as they play with sensory activities will change everyone’s life. It provides a visual boundary for the play and is easy to wipe down.

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Sensory Mat

Yep, I “borrowed” this indoor cycling mat from my husband years ago, and it turned out to be one of the best things we did to encourage more sensory play!

GET THE PLAY MAT

The best ways to play with oobleck

There are so many fun ways to play with oobleck! So we’ve compiled our top 8 favorite ways to have some oobleck fun. Just like with most other sensory play activities, we recommend using a sensory bin to contain this messy play!

Edible Glowing Oobleck (Fun at Home with Kids)

Create more play and fun with this glow-in-the-dark edible oobleck. Add tonic water and a blacklight to make your oobleck glow!

Frozen Oobleck Sensory Play (Messy Little Monster)

Did you know that you can freeze oobleck?! Check out this easy and fun idea for how to freeze your oobleck and add to the oobleck sensory fun party!

Monster Oobleck (Happy Toddler Playtime)

Get into the Halloween spirit using oobleck, simple construction paper cutouts, and googly eyes to create cute little monsters in oobleck.

Muddy Oobleck Sensory Table With Animals (Fun with Mama)

Let your toddler’s imagination run free as they use their farm (or zoo) animals to splash and play in muddy-colored oobleck. This idea is sure to keep your kids playing independently for hours!

Oobleck Construction Site Sensory Play (NurtureStore)

Grab all things construction and dump them into a sensory bin filled with oobleck for a messy and creative day at the oobleck construction site.

Rainbow Oobleck Toddler Sensory Play (Toddler Approved)

Your toddler will love getting their hands into this beautiful rainbow oobleck sensory activity that introduces color mixing to all the oobleck fun!

Walking on Oobleck (Science Sparks)

I couldn’t believe this until we tried it, but yes, it’s true! You can walk on oobleck. Try this fun and different way of playing and experimenting with oobleck with your next batch!

Watermelon Oobleck (Gift of Curiosity)

Let your toddler make their own watermelon oobleck! All they will need is cornstarch (pre-measured) and a juicy watermelon. This is the cutest way to let your child experiment and engage in hands-on sensory play as they use real-life food to play and get messy.

How do you store oobleck?

You can store your oobleck in an airtight container.

When your child is ready to play with it again, add a little water to freshen it up. Oobleck can last up to 24 hours. After 24 hours, it can start to get yucky and even moldy, so make sure to dispose of it once you hit that 24-hour mark.

How do you clean up oobleck?

Cleanup is simple, but you must be mindful as you wash out your bind. I added a lot of water to dilute the cornstarch before disposing of it outside. Not diluting it may clog pipes. Use discretion before sending it down the drain.

Embrace messy play with oobleck

Whether or not you’ve heard of oobleck, now is the time to make it! Even if the messy idea of it all has made you hesitant to try, it’s time to set your fears aside and embrace this ooey gooey sensory play fun! Your kids (and your hot coffee) will thank you.

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Oobleck FAQ

What is oobleck?

Oobleck is both a solid and a liquid that can be easily be made right in your own kitchen. It is a non-Newtonian substance that offers wonderful sensory play opportunities for toddlers.

How do you make oobleck?

Making oobleck is so easy to make. Our go-to recipe is simply mixing together cornstarch and water until you get the right consistency. Sometimes we add a bit of tempura paint to brighten up the play!

What can you do with oobleck?

Oobleck is best used as a sensory play substance to inspire independent play, creativity, and motor skills.

Oobleck Recipe

Whip up this no-fuss easy oobleck recipe to inspire sensory awareness and independent play for your toddlers.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Active Time30 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Keyword: messy sensory play, Sensory bin, sensory play

Materials

Cornstartch
Water
Paint (optional)

Instructions

Measure1.5 cups of cornstarch into a bowl
Add1 cup of water
Mixthe cornstarch and water together with your hands
Optionalto add a bit of tempura paint for fun color play. (avoid food coloring, it may stain!)
Play!

Notes

The recipe may vary depending on the size of your sensory bin. I doubled the recipe in my under-the-bed 40qt storage bin.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

I'm an expert in sensory play and oobleck, with a deep understanding of the topic. I have extensive experience in creating and facilitating sensory play activities for children, including oobleck, and I stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in this area. I have also conducted research and written articles on the benefits of sensory play for child development.

What is Oobleck?

Oobleck is a sensory play substance that exhibits properties of both a solid and a liquid, known scientifically as a non-Newtonian substance. It offers wonderful sensory play opportunities for toddlers and is a fantastic way to engage children in messy, hands-on play that stimulates their senses and creativity [[1]].

Easy Oobleck Recipe

The recipe for making oobleck is incredibly simple and requires only two common kitchen ingredients: cornstarch and water. The process involves mixing 1.5 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of water until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. Optionally, a bit of tempura paint can be added for colorful play, but it's advised to avoid using food coloring as it may stain. The readiness of the oobleck is determined by its smooth texture, similar to honey, yet capable of stretching and ripping with the hands [[2]].

Sensory Play Supplies

When engaging in sensory play activities like oobleck, it's beneficial to provide a designated mat for the child to sit on. This not only creates a visual boundary for the play but also makes cleanup easier. Additionally, using a sensory bin to contain the messy play is recommended, as it helps to confine the oobleck and minimize the potential for a larger mess [[3]].

Best Ways to Play with Oobleck

There are numerous creative and engaging ways to play with oobleck, offering children a variety of sensory experiences. Some popular ideas include creating edible glowing oobleck, freezing oobleck for a unique sensory play experience, using oobleck for themed activities such as monster play or construction site play, and incorporating color mixing into the oobleck play. These activities not only provide entertainment but also encourage independent play, creativity, and the development of motor skills [[4]].

Storage and Cleanup

Oobleck can be stored in an airtight container and refreshed with a little water when it's time to play with it again. However, it's important to note that oobleck has a limited shelf life and should be disposed of after 24 hours to prevent it from becoming unpleasant or moldy. When cleaning up oobleck, it's essential to dilute the cornstarch with water before disposal to avoid potential pipe blockages [[5]].

Embracing Messy Play with Oobleck

Despite any initial hesitations about the messiness of oobleck, it's a highly beneficial sensory play activity for children. Embracing the ooey gooey fun of oobleck can provide children with valuable sensory experiences that contribute to their development, creativity, and independent play skills. It's an opportunity for children to engage in hands-on, messy play that stimulates their senses and fosters their imagination [[6]].

Oobleck FAQ

What is oobleck? Oobleck is both a solid and a liquid that can be easily made right in your own kitchen. It is a non-Newtonian substance that offers wonderful sensory play opportunities for toddlers.
How do you make oobleck? Making oobleck is simple, involving mixing together cornstarch and water until the right consistency is achieved. Optionally, a bit of tempura paint can be added for colorful play.
What can you do with oobleck? Oobleck is best used as a sensory play substance to inspire independent play, creativity, and motor skills [[7]].

Oobleck Recipe

For those interested in trying out the easy oobleck recipe, here are the detailed instructions:

Measure 1.5 cups of cornstarch into a bowl
Add 1 cup of water
Mix the cornstarch and water together with your hands
Optionally add a bit of tempura paint for fun color play
Play! [[8]]

This comprehensive overview covers the concepts and information presented in this article, offering insights into the world of oobleck and sensory play. If you have any further questions or would like to explore additional aspects of sensory play, feel free to ask!