This Is How YOU Can "Teach Kids Solids and Liquids With This 2-Ingredient Science Experiment"

Here’s a science experiment for kids that:

• takes less than 2 minutes to prepare
• costs absolutely nothing, and
• is dead-easy to do.

This is perfect for parents who are busy with work or chores, but want to spend quality time with kids, while the latter learns.

Question...

How many times have you thought of an educational activity to do with your child, but simply never followed through with it?

Remember that seedling you wanted to nurture with your child to teach her about nature and science? 

Probably never happened because running to the store to get seedlings and watering it daily seemed too much in your already busy schedule.

But what if I showed you how EASY this 2-ingredient Science experiment is? Would you do it now? 

Definitely.

Now let’s start... and welcome:

Oobleck: Water and Cornstarch Fun

What the heck is an oobleck? It's actually the name of a sticky substance taken from Dr. Seuss' book: Bartholomew and the Oobleck.

(Geeky) Science Stuff:

Cornstarch mixed with water, or oobleck, behaves both like a liquid and solid, depending on what is done to it.

If you apply pressure, say by continuously moving a ball-shaped oobleck from your hands, it stays a ball. But the minute you let it rest on your palm, it quickly “melts”, losing its form, and running like liquid.

Why? According to Science Bob, cornstarch grains “lock-up” whenever pressure is applied. This means that if you quickly tap on oobleck, your fingers will meet a hard surface. (You and your child will experience this soon.) Now, if you feel your child won’t understand the explanation behind oobleck's odd behavior, it’s okay. Just carry on, explain anyway, and have fun.

Let's start so you can experience how cool this experiment is

Materials: 1 cup of cornstarch, 1 glass of water, a large bowl (That’s it!!!)

Procedure: add water to the cornstarch slowly and mix

You’ll know the consistency is right when you’re able to make a ball and maintain its form by transferring it from one hand to the other. (Again, that's it!)

Questions to ask your kiddo throughout the science experiment

• What happens when you "slap" the oobleck's surface? (Does it behave like water and splash around?)

• Is it solid or liquid? (Solids usually hold their shape while liquids don’t. Explanation can be found here under the background section.)

• What happens when you place a blob of oobleck on the table and poke it after a minute? How does it behave?

• What happens when your child dips his finger into the oobleck and slowly moves them around the bowl? What happens if he moves them faster?

• What happens when you throw an oobleck ball in the air? (Does it retain its shape or not?)

These are fun questions to keep in mind while doing the experiment. And mind you, there’s almost no excuse for missing out on this experiment! You have all you need - the explanation, questions and even the guaranteed 2-minute prep time! You know, the "oobleck" name and activity was such a HIT in my house. The kiddo was amused and amazed - and the adults loved it. Probably more than the kiddo.

So, try this now! Not later, not tomorrow, not next week. Now.

It’s one of the best sensory experiments you’ll ever do. And clean-up is a breeze! All you need it water.

Warning: Send the oobleck into the trash instead of the sink. If you dump it in the latter, it may cause the sink to clog.

Photo credit: Dr. Seuss from Wikipedia

I would like to thank Anne of Green Eggs & Moms for sharing this AWESOME and EASY experiment for kids and parents to enjoy with almost no preparation! Lorrie