12 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Add To Oobleck

Who would’ve thought that combining two simple ingredients like water and cornstarch could create so much fun? I’m sure anybody who has made and played with Oobleck can agree that it doesn’t matter how old you are; Oobleck is awesome! Well, guess what? You can make it even more exciting by adding things you didn’t even know you can add to Oobleck!

12 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Add To Oobleck

• Food Coloring
• Tonic Water
• Shaving Cream
• Glow In The Dark Paint
• Highlighter Fluid
• Kool-Aid
• Baking Soda
• Essential Oils (Diluted)
• Baby Powder
• Metallic Ink
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Watermelon

Oobleck is an experiment, so why not push the limits by adding some fun extras to it? This article will discuss various materials that you can mix into your Oobleck, as well as cool videos, instructions, and more!

So, What Exactly Is Oobleck?

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid that acts like a solid when force is applied to it and liquid when it is poured or undisturbed. A liquid has a constant viscosity, which only changes with pressure or temperature.

A non-Newtonian fluid, on the other hand, changes its viscosity under stress. So, if you apply pressure to it, the liquid will become firmer, and it will return to a liquid state when the pressure is alleviated. Other non-Newtonian fluids include;

• Quicksand
• Ketchup
• Toothpaste

How Do You Make Oobleck?

To make Oobleck is very easy. All you need is;

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups of cornstarch (also known as cornflower)
• 1 Cup of water
• Food coloring (optional)

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the water to the cornstarch.
3. Mix with a spoon until combined.

*You want to end up with a consistency that goes hard when you move the spoon through it quickly and oozes down if you lift the spoon up over the bowl.

Now that you have made your own Oobleck, it is time to take things to the next level!

12 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Add To Oobleck

Now let’s look at 12 things you didn’t know you can add to oobleck

1. Food Coloring

There are different ways to add food coloring to your Oobleck, including;

• You can mix it into the water before adding it to the cornstarch (the color distributes easier and quicker).
• You can add a few drops of food coloring after making your Oobleck and then mixing the color through.
• Make rainbow Oobleck by mixing various batches (all different colors) and pouring each color onto a tray, one by one. Watch how the colors merge and form beautiful patterns. Grab a handful of Oobleck from the tray and let it ooze through your fingers back onto the tray. Keep mixing the Oobleck around and see how the colors and patterns change.

Check out the below video to see what rainbow Oobleck looks like;

2. Tonic Water

This experiment requires a blacklight to work.

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 Cup Tonic Water

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the Tonic Water to the cornstarch.
3. Mix well (regular Oobleck consistency).

Make sure the room you are in is dark enough. Turn on the blacklight and see how the Oobleck glows in the dark! Tonic Water fluoresces under a blacklight because it contains quinine.

Check out the below video to see the Tonic Water Oobleck glow;

3. Shaving Cream

This experiment is called “Fluffy Oobleck,” and it is so cool!

What You Will Need

• A large mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 16 oz Cornstarch
• 2 Cans of shaving cream
• Food coloring or liquid colors
• Liquid starch
• ½ Cup of water

Method

1. Make a batch of original Oobleck (liquid starch) and set it aside.
2. Place the cornstarch into a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the shaving cream to the corn starch and mix it thoroughly until you achieve a clumpy, marshmallow consistency (you can also use your hands to mix).
4. Add ½ cup of water and a ¼ cup liquid starch to the mixture.
5. Add a few drops of color and mix everything using your hands.

The liquid starch firms up the mixture and makes it slimmer. If you want it to be runnier, add a little bit of water.

Check out the below video to see what fluffy Oobleck looks like;

4. Glow In The Dark Paint

Unlike Tonic Water (quinine) which only glows under fluorescent lights, glow in the dark paint glows due to a process called luminescence. This process is caused by luminescent phosphors, which are present in the paint.

To make this work, you need to charge the paint with light. You can place it in the sun or near a bright light. When you move it into a dark room or switch off the lights, it will glow brightly. After a while, the glow will start to fade and will need to be recharged. Glow in the dark paint can also be activated with a black light for an even brighter glow.

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 Cup Tonic Water
• 1 Tube of glow in the dark or fluorescent (neon) paint

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the Tonic Water and the paint to the cornstarch and mix it carefully.
3. Place it in the sun or near a light to charge the paint or use a black light for faster results.
4. Watch it glow!

*The paint does not change the consistency of the Oobleck.

Check out the below video to see the Oobleck glow in the dark;

5. Highlighter Fluid

Another way to make Oobleck glow in the dark is by using highlighter fluid. This experiment also requires a blacklight to work because it is fluorescent.

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• A jar
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• Highlighter (any color you prefer)

Method

1. Remove the ink stick from the highlighter and place it in a jar containing 1 cup of water.
2. Leave overnight.
3. Place the cornstarch into a mixing bowl.
4. Add ½ cup of the highlighter water and mix well.
5. Add more water (1 tablespoon at a time) if the Oobleck is too thick.
6. Turn on your black light – it will look beautiful and bright, and it looks even better when you play with it.

Any highlighter fluid is fluorescent so try out all the different colors.

*Alternatively, you can try this using glow stick fluid instead of highlighter fluid.

Check out the below videos to see how fluorescent fluid glows;

6. Kool-Aid

If you mix Kool-Aid into your Oobleck, it not only gives it color, but it smells delicious too!

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 1 cup cornstarch
• ½ Cup water
• ½ Packet of Kool-Aid (the one that you need to add sugar to).

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the Kool-Aid powder and mix well.
3. Add the water and mix well.

A delightful yet straightforward recipe, and you can try all the different flavors.

*You can also premix your Kool-Aid with the water, pour it into an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer overnight. When the water has turned into ice, add the ice to the cornstarch and watch it melt in.

7. Baking Soda And Vinegar

I call this the “Fizzy Oobleck” experiment because It’s bubbly, fizzy, and loads of fun!

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 1 Cup Vinegar (white)
• 2 Tablespoons of baking soda
• Food coloring

Method

1. Pour the vinegar into a mixing bowl.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring and stir.
3. Add the cornstarch bit by bit until you have the consistency of regular Oobleck.
4. Sprinkle one tablespoon of the baking soda over the vinegar Oobleck and mix well.
5. Wait for about 30 seconds, and the Oobleck should start bubbling and fizzing.
6. Add the rest of the baking soda and mix well.

*Vinegar can burn your skin; wear gloves when you play with it.

Check out the below video to see what “Fizzy Oobleck” looks like;

8. Essential Oils (Diluted)

Adding essential oils to your Oobleck is excellent for your skin, and it smells lovely. I call it a fun hand treatment.

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• Lavender oil (or any essential oil you prefer)
• Food coloring (optional)

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in the mixing bowl.
2. Mix 3 drops of essential oil into the water.
3. Add food coloring to the essential oil water (optional).
4. Add the oil-water to the cornstarch and mix well until combined.
5. Enjoy and relax!

Your hands will be moisturized and soft from the essential oils, and playing with the Oobleck helps ease the tension in yours.

9. Baby Powder

Another scented addition to adding to our Oobleck list is a recipe where you use baby powder instead of cornstarch. It has the same consistency as Oobleck, and it smells divine!

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 Cups baby powder
• 1 cup water
• Glitter
• Pink food coloring
• Marshmallow essence (smells amazing with the baby powder)

Method

1. Place the baby bower in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix a few drops of marshmallow essence and food coloring in the water.
3. Add the pink water to the baby powder and mix well.
4. Sprinkle glitter over (as much as you like) and mix well.

This recipe is a favorite amongst little girls because it’s pretty, it shimmers, and it smells like heaven!

10. Metallic Ink

Adding the ink inside a metallic pen to Oobleck gives it a beautiful metallic shine. It turns the Oobleck into a velvety, silky-looking slime.

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 Cup Water
• Food Coloring(optional)
• Metallic pens (any color you like)

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the water and mix well.
3. Remove the ink stick from the pen and cut off the metal tip.
4. Blow the metallic ink out of the straw directly into the prepared Oobleck and mix well.

*You can add food coloring, but the color of the metallic ink should be good enough.

11. Dishwashing Liquid

Have you ever heard of stretchy Oobleck? Well, if you haven’t, then this recipe will blow your mind!

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 cup dishwashing liquid

Method

1. Place the cornstarch into a mixing bowl.
2. Add ½ Cup of the dishwashing liquid to the cornstarch and mix well.
3. Add the remaining ½ cup of dishwashing liquid, little by little while stirring, until you reach a consistency that looks almost like a slimy dough.

If you hold it in your hands, it will start to droop down slowly, and if you try pulling it apart, it won’t break; instead, it will stretch and start oozing down again as soon as you stop stretching.

*Adding glow-in-the-dark pigment or highlighter fluid to stretchy Oobleck makes it look like real slime!

12. Watermelon

When you add watermelon to your Oobleck, it still has the same characteristics as the original recipe (water and cornstarch), but it adds a sliminess to it, which feels awesome when you play with it.

What You Will Need

• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1 Cup of liquidized watermelon
• Food coloring (optional)

Method

1. Place the cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the watermelon to the cornstarch and mix well.
3. Add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to bring out the color of the watermelon.

For an added sensory experience, leave the pips in the watermelon so that you can find and feel them while you play.

*A watermelon consists of 92% water; therefore, the consistency will remain the same as Oobleck, only slimmer!

Conclusion

It is unbelievable how much you can do with Oobleck. Only two household ingredients can create so many hours of fun amongst people of all ages. It is a sensory experience, an art session, and a science experiment.

Adults have claimed it is a great way to relieve stress, and many parents have reported that their kids play with Oobleck for much longer periods than their toys!

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take the fun to a whole new level!

Sources

The Weird Chemical Reaction You Get When You Mix Baking Soda, Vinegar And Oobleck Together – Digg

Fluffy Oobleck Slime Recipe – Fantastic Fun

Oobleck: What is it? Learn Everything About This Fun Goop

13 Super Fun Things to Do with Oobleck (A Sensory Goop for Kids) (artfulparent.com)