Oobleck Recipe: The Easiest Way To Make This Fun Non-Newtonian Goo

If you’ve ever wanted to punch a liquid and watch it fight back, welcome to the wild world of oobleck. This weird, wonderful goo turns solid when you hit it and melts into a puddle when you let it rest. And the best part?

You can make it with two pantry ingredients in five minutes. No lab coat required—just a bowl and a sense of curiosity.

What Is Oobleck, Actually?

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which is a fancy way of saying it doesn’t play by regular liquid rules. When you apply force—poke it, squeeze it, smack it—it stiffens up.

When you stop, it flows like a liquid again. Magic? Kind of.

Science? Definitely. You might’ve seen videos of people running across a pool of it.

That’s the same stuff you’re about to make in your kitchen. And yes, it’s safe, cheap, and oddly therapeutic. FYI: it got the name “oobleck” from a Dr.

Seuss book. Of course it did.

The Easiest Oobleck Recipe (2 Ingredients!)

Ingredients

• 1 cup cornstarch (aka cornflour in some countries)
• About 1/2 cup water
• Optional: a few drops of food coloring or a sprinkle of edible glitter

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Spoon or your hands (hands win, IMO)
• Tray or sheet pan for playtime

Steps

1. Dump 1 cup of cornstarch into the bowl.
2. Add water slowly—start with 1/3 cup and stir.
3. Keep adding water a tablespoon at a time until the texture feels right.
4. Test it: punch it. If it fights back and then melts when you relax, you nailed it.
5. Add food coloring if you want it extra dramatic.

   Mix well.

Perfect consistency checklist

• Grab a handful—it should feel solid.
• Let it ooze through your fingers—it should drip like thick honey.
• If it’s too runny, add cornstarch. Too crumbly? Add a splash of water.

Why It Works (Nerd Corner, But Fun)

Cornstarch particles act like tiny plates suspended in water.

When you push or smack the mixture, the particles jam together and resist movement—hello, “solid.” When you relax, water slides between those particles and lets everything flow again.

Non-Newtonian Fluids vs. Normal Liquids

Newtonian liquids (water, milk) behave nicely: their viscosity stays constant no matter how you stir them. Non-Newtonian fluids (oobleck, ketchup, slime) change thickness under stress. Oobleck thickens when you apply force; ketchup gets runnier when you shake it.

Opposite vibes, same category.

Fun Things To Try With Oobleck

Ready to level up? Playtime ideas incoming.

• Drum test: Smack the surface fast. It feels solid.

  Let your fingers sink in slowly. Instant goo.

• Bouncing ball: Roll a ball in your hands quickly—it’ll hold shape. Stop rolling, and it slumps like it’s Monday morning.
• Stomp it: Put a batch on a tray and step on it quickly (barefoot!).

  You’ll stand on “solid” goo—until you stop and sink.

• Vibration experiment: Put some on a speaker covered with plastic wrap. Play bass-heavy music and watch it dance.
• Color swirls: Make two colors and swirl them together. It’s art that refuses to be predictable.

Classroom or Party Ideas

• Set up an oobleck station with cups, spoons, and food coloring.
• Run a “fast vs. slow” challenge: poke it fast, poke it slow—what happens?
• Do a quick science talk about non-Newtonian fluids.

  Kids love seeing rules “break.” Adults do too, honestly.

Color, Scents, and (Safe) Add-Ins

Oobleck is extra fun when it looks cool. Keep it safe and simple.

• Food coloring: Gel or liquid both work. Go easy—two to three drops usually do it.
• Edible glitter or sanding sugar: Makes it sparkle without turning your sink into a crime scene.
• Scents: A drop of vanilla extract works.

  Avoid essential oils if kids might taste it.

• Mix-ins to avoid: Anything that stains aggressively (looking at you, fabric dye) or anything gritty that could scratch surfaces.

For Sensory Play

If you’re making this for sensory play, double the batch so little hands can really dig in. Use a deep tray, toss in spoons and cups, and let the scooping chaos begin. Supervision helps, unless redecorating the floor in cornstarch chic sounds fun.

Cleanup Tips (So You Don’t Cry Later)

Oobleck cleans up easily if you use the right approach.

Do not pour big amounts down the sink—it can clog like cement. Disposal

• Scoop solids into the trash.
• Let leftovers dry on a tray; crack and toss.
• Rinse bowls and hands with warm water after scraping most of it off.

Surface cleanup

• Wipe with a damp cloth first, then wash.
• For clothing, let dried bits flake off, then wash as usual.
• Avoid carpet if you value your sanity.

Troubleshooting: Fixing Common Oobleck Problems

It’s too runny

• Add more cornstarch a tablespoon at a time.
• Stir well, then retest with a fast poke.

It’s too crumbly

• Add a small splash of water, mix, and retest.

It stains hands

• Use less food coloring, or wear gloves if you’re going for neon chaos.

It smells weird

• Toss and remake. Cornstarch can absorb odors if stored open.

Pro Tips

• Write the ratio down: Roughly 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water. Adjust to taste.
• Mix with your hands: You’ll feel the texture change better than with a spoon.
• Keep a towel nearby: You will get messy.

  Embrace it.

Oobleck vs. Slime vs. Kinetic Sand

Short version: they’re cousins, not twins.

• Oobleck: Cornstarch + water.

  Acts solid under force, liquid at rest. Super cheap, super weird.
• Glue slime: Glue + borate. Stretchy and sticky.

  More craft, less sciencey surprise.

• Kinetic sand: Sand + polymer. Holds shapes and crumbles slowly. Cleaner than oobleck, less dramatic.

IMO, for pure “whoa, science!” moments, oobleck wins.

For parents who fear mess, kinetic sand is the safe pick.

FAQ

Is oobleck safe for kids and pets?

Yes for kids with supervision. It’s just cornstarch and water. Don’t let anyone eat it in large quantities (it’s not a snack), and keep it away from curious pets.

It can cause digestive issues if swallowed in big amounts.

Can I store oobleck and reuse it?

You can cover it and keep it for a day or two, but it separates and dries out. Add a splash of water and stir to revive it. If it smells off or grows anything funky, toss it and make a fresh batch.

What if I don’t have cornstarch?

Try potato starch or arrowroot starch.

They behave similarly and still make a non-Newtonian goo. Regular flour won’t work the same way, so skip that.

How do I make a big batch for a group?

Use the same ratio: roughly 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water. For example, 8 cups cornstarch with 4 cups water.

Add water slowly and stop when it hits that punchable-but-melty sweet spot.

Will food coloring stain my counters or skin?

Light colors usually wash off easily. Dark or gel colors can stain temporarily. Protect surfaces with a plastic tablecloth or baking sheet and wash hands with warm, soapy water after play.

Can I do the “walk on oobleck” trick at home?

Technically yes, practically messy.

You need a shallow kiddie pool and lots of cornstarch. If you try, mix in small batches, and keep the ratio thick. Keep a hose handy and accept your driveway’s new personality.

Bottom Line

Oobleck turns a bowl of pantry staples into a hands-on physics lesson—with bonus stress relief.

Mix cornstarch and water, tweak the texture, then poke, punch, and let it ooze. It’s quick, cheap, and weirdly satisfying. Make a batch, get messy, and brag that you did science in your kitchen—because you did, FYI.