Monday, March 7, 2011

Simple Rainy Day Fun: Oobleck

It is here again... the stinking rainy, muddy New England spring. While I am beyond elated to see the cold and snow go away, it is always hard for parents with children at home during the mud season. We really can not get outside without ending up looking something like this: So I will be spending the next few weeks finding new and (hopefully) interesting things to entertain 2 little girls. Today? A science experiment we will call Oobleck. It is very simple, cheap and easy. And the kids will love it, I swear.

Follow the "recipe", which is simply corn starch and water, add a bit of food coloring if you are extra adventurous...
and you will be guaranteed some very occupied children...
This is a seriously fun little experiment that illustrates the difference between solids, liquids... and some substance in between. It is fun for the 2 year old, 5 year old and 10 year old. But beware... it is messy. There will be oobleck ever-y-where. BUT... the fantastic thing? It dries on contact with the floor, table, skin, hair... and will just sweep up as a dried powder or wipe off with a wet cloth. Easy peasy.

5 comments:

  1. FUN!! We used to make this with the campers at the camp I was a counseler at (oh so many years ago) but we had a different name for it...which I can't remember! I'll have to do this with my boys some icky weekend.

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  2. This was one of my favorite things when I taught little ones. We'd make it in a huge rubbermaid under-the-bed container. It's a blast!

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  3. I saw this stuff on the ellen show. Did you see that clip where she walks across it? totally weird. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUMX_b_m3Js

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  4. Did you see the Little Tyeks makin Mud Pies kitchen. hahahahahaha. What a mess but so cute!

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  5. In case you are ever wondering, this is called a non-newtonian liquid. Oh the joys of being an engineer's wife.

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