Bartholomew and the Oobleck
Long ago, Dr. Seuss wrote a book called Bartholomew and the Oobleck that launched a thousand science fair projects and kept many a young child busy. My husband was the first person to tell me about Oobleck. His mom used to make it when he was younger. Then my mother in law kept telling me about it and asking me if I’ve made it for the kids. I finally gave in… and I’m glad I did.
Oobleck is basically a mixture of cornstarch and water. You can add food coloring, too. I found a lot of recipes out there but 1 1/2 cups of cornstarch to 1 cup of water worked the best for us. Mix it up and add a few drops of food coloring. You can imagine that green is a popular choice.
Cornstarch and water form this amazing substance. It acts like a liquid but if you apply pressure, like holding it tight in your hands, it forms like a solid. Throw that up in the air, and it becomes liquid again. It is an interesting substance to work with for young kids and older kids alike. School-age children might be more interested in experimenting and finding out when it acts like a liquid and when it acts like a solid. Or, if you can make it into a ball, will it bounce?I would recommend wearing smocks or old t-shirts if you decide to make this with your kids. Also, keep a washrag handy to wipe up stray oobleck. If you can find a copy of the book, read it before you make the oobleck and talk about the story while you play.
This excerpt is quoted from FamilyEden.net, a great source of inspiration and ideas for Moms and Dads. Be sure to check it out!
Have you ever made oobleck with your kids?Photo: amazon.com, Topeka & Shawnee (Flickr)
10 Comments:
LOL..I don't think there is a Special Education or Early Childhood teacher out there who has not made Ooblick!
I used to put my 2 girls, when they were toddlers, in their high chairs for playing with this and a large bib. As they became older, if it was nice out, we did it on their play picnic table on the deck with cookie sheets and they wore their bathing suits. It is a fun play material! Thanks for the reminders....perhaps I can talk the kindergarten teacher I currently work with into making this after spring break!
We have made this. But I didn't know about Ooblick. It was part of my son's Science curriculum this year. It was lots of fun! We even found a YouTube clip about someone making a big batch of it on Ellen. A lady from the audience was able to walk right across it. My son thought that was very cool!
I have raised five kids and never read this book or made the stuff! It sounds fun... or messy! Not quite sure I want to try it with the grandkids either, ha.
I loved Dr. Seuss books and reading them to my children though. I wonder why I never heard of this book.
HUGs e-Mom!
ah yes, we called it "magic goop" lol... which reminds me #4 hasn't had a try with it, so we may have to make that this week!
this is nifty stuff indeed! i made it with my girls when they were younger, and now that you've reminded me of it, i'll have to make some with my boy too!
We've done this before. It is really cool, isn't it?
Faith: As a teacher, I knew you'd relate! Fun stuff isn't it?
Alicia: Very cool! I never thought to look on YouTube--good idea! :~D
Connie Marie: I think this Dr. Seuss book is very old... and that may be the reason you haven't heard of it. :~D
Amydeanne: I hope #4 enjoys her experience with "magic goop!"
Persuaded: I hope your boy likes it! :~D
Karla: Yes, it's truly very cool. :~D
I have never seen this one either! Thanks for the info! I will have to try it too. I have been reading many selections of Dr. Seuss to my little one from the library. I bet they have this one too.
Much love,
Angela
e-Mom, I've never heard of this before, but the neat freak in me is a bit afraid to let Sweet Pea and Sugar Plum give it a try. (I'm such a killjoy!) I like Faith's idea of taking the oobleck outside, so once the weather truly breaks, I think we'll make some.
I'm in the process of making homemade bubble wands and bubble solution...another outdoor activity!
Thanks for always sharing something new!
That looks like fun and pretty save! Just cornstarch and water! Maybe this summer we'll try it! Do you have a great bible lesson that goes with it?!!!
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