How to Make Oobleck

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Last Updated: September 19, 2024 Fact Checked

Oobleck (also called magic mud ) is an easy-to-make substance that has some interesting physical properties. Oobleck is an example of a non-Newtonian fluid. Many common liquids like water and alcohol have a constant viscosity. But Oobleck can be liquid when held loosely in your hand, and can also act like a solid if it's hit more violently. The name comes from Dr. Seuss's 1949 children's book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, which is about a king who is so bored with the weather in his kingdom that he wants something completely new to fall from the sky.

Part 1

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Making Oobleck

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Place 1 cup (8 oz) of cornstarch in a large bowl. You can spend a minute mixing it around with your hands to get comfortable with its texture. It can help to briefly whip it with a fork to get out any chunks so that it is easier to stir later. ^{[1]
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Add 4-5 drops of food coloring to 1/2 cup of water if you want a color. Though you don't need to use food coloring to make Oobleck, many people like to use it to make the Oobleck a really fun color, and even more exciting to play with than white putty. If you'd like to add food coloring to the Oobleck, drop it and stir it into the water first, before you add it to the cornstarch. This helps it distribute evenly. ^{[2]
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- Use as many drops as you want for a richer color.
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You should always stir in half as much water as cornstarch, keeping them in the ratio of 2 cups of cornstarch for every 1 cup of water. Use either your hands or a mixing spoon to really mix the water and cornstarch as much as possible.
4
Test the Oobleck by grabbing a handful and trying to form a ball. The hardest thing about this is getting the recipe just right. It will rarely be exactly two parts corn starch, one part water, right on the dot. Humidity, food coloring amount, and water temperature will all make subtle changes. It should feel a bit like it is melting in your hands. ^{[3]
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- If you can't form a ball (too watery), add more cornstarch in one tablespoon at a time. Mix it and test each time.
- If it isn't runny like a liquid when picked up, it is too thick. Add more water one tablespoon at a time.

Part 2

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Using Your Oobleck

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1
Play with the Oobleck. At first, just take it out with your hands and have fun kneading it, hitting it, rolling it up into a little ball, letting it drip from your hands into the bowl, and molding it into a variety of shapes. You can also: ^{[4]
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- Mix and match with other colors to make designs.
- Strain and drop the oobleck through strainers, strawberry crates, etc. to watch how it flows differently than water.
2
Experiment with the Oobleck. Once you're more comfortable with the substance, you should see what happens when you squeeze the goo hard, or when you let it sit for a minute before picking it up again. Here are some other Oobleck experiments to try: ^{[5]
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- Make a ball out of the Oobleck by rolling it around quickly in your palms. Then, stop applying pressure to the mixture and it will flow out of your hands.
- Fill a pie plate with a thick layer of Oobleck and slap the surface with your open hand. You'll be surprised by how all of the liquid stays on the plate because of the force you applied.
- Supersize the pie plate experiment by filling a large bucket or plastic bin with Oobleck and jumping up and down in it.
- Take the Oobleck in the freezer, and try it. Try it in the heat too. Is there a difference?
3
Clean up the Oobleck. You can use warm water to clean the Oobleck off your hands, clothes, and even off of your counter. You can rinse a bit of it out of your bowl, but make sure not to let too much of it get down the sink.
- If you let it dry out, it turns into a powder that is easily swept, vacuumed, or wiped up.
4
Store the Oobleck. Place the Oobleck into an airtight container or a zip-seal bag. Take it out again later and have fun playing with it. If you're done with the Oobleck for good, DO NOT throw it down the sink, or it may clog your drain. Throw it in the trash instead.
- You'll likely need to re-add water to your oobleck to play with it a second time.

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Why is it called Oobleck?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Oobleck is a term taken from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck, in which the character of the Oobleck is a green, blobby, oozy substance of similar characteristics to this non-toxic, inexpensive non-Newtonian fluid.

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How do you get rid of Oobleck?

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When disposing of Oobleck, do not try washing it down the sink or flushing it down the toilet––Oobleck contains ingredients that can clog up drains badly. Instead, wrap the Oobleck in newspaper or junk mail, then toss it into the trash can for regular disposal.

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What materials do you need to make Oobleck?

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Oobleck usually requires cornflour and water, as outlined in the steps above. Possible additions include glitter, food coloring or other safe coloring (since Oobleck can end up in a child's mouth). For other types of Oobleck, with different ingredients, see How to Make Oobleck without Cornstarch .

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Tips

If you don’t have cornstarch you can use shampoo, body wash, or even laundry detergent.

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Oobleck when dried can be easily vacuumed.

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If you put in food coloring: after washing your hands, you may notice a little bit of color left on your hands. Don't worry. It should go away in a day or two.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

It's sometimes hard to get off a counter with deep grooves, so definitely make and play with it on a smooth surface.
Just make sure to rinse the bowl out with a lot of hot water because if you don't, your drain may get clogged.
If you don't have cornstarch or baby powder, use potato starch. It works great!

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Warnings

Do not pour the Oobleck down the drain or else the drain may become clogged.

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Oobleck isn't poisonous, but it tastes awful. Wash your hands after playing. Make sure children are supervised.

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Be aware that if Oobleck is left out too long, it will dry out and turn back to cornstarch. Just throw it away when you're done with it.

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Lay a couple newspapers on the floor so it doesn't get all over the floor or table.

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When you add the cornstarch, be sure to spread it out evenly.

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Don't use plastic spoons to mix the ingredients. It might break if there is too much pressure.

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Don't worry too much if it gets on something; it will come out with a little water.

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Make sure the container has no air in it so that it won't dry out.

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Don't drop on the couch, deck, or sidewalk. It's hard to get off of certain surfaces.

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Wear old clothes, as Oobleck tends to get messy.

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Don't let it just sit there for a while.

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Things You'll Need

Cornstarch (sometimes called 'cornflour')
Water
Bowl
Food coloring (optional)
Air-tight container (for storage)
Glitter (optional)

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