Discover the magic of the galaxy oobleck recipe for kids, a brilliant way to blend the arts into STEAM education. This recipe transforms a simple science experiment into an interstellar adventure with its galaxy-themed colors, making it a favorite among preschool and kindergarten children.

It is like a creative mix between slime and a sensory tub, offering an engaging, hands-on method of exploring science. This sensory activity encourages curiosity and learning, perfectly fitting into our recommended science activities for kids.

Collage image of multicolored oobleck dripping out of a child's hand and photos of how to make it.

Whether it’s to alleviate summer boredom, brighten rainy days, or enhance a science center, this multicolor oobleck recipe promises endless fun and educational opportunities.

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Table of Contents

The Science Behind Oobleck

So what is oobleck? It sounds like a funny made up word, doesn’t it?

In Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, Bartholomew Cubbins in the Kingdom of Didd, confronts a peculiar, gooey substance called Oobleck that falls from the sky, creating chaos and teaching valuable lessons in humility and the power of words.

In reality, oobleck is an intriguing substance that captures the fascination of both children and adults alike due to its unique properties as a non-Newtonian fluid.

This means it possesses the characteristics of both a liquid and a solid, depending on the forces applied to it. When pressure is exerted, it behaves like a solid, but it flows as a liquid upon releasing the pressure.

This dual nature makes it an excellent tool for sensory exploration and educational activities, like our Unicorn Sensory Bin with Oobleck. It allows participants to experience firsthand the fascinating dynamics of non-Newtonian fluids.

Learning Benefits of Creating Oobleck

Making Oobleck is a fun way to explore non-Newtonian fluids, and kids love playing with the cornstarch goop.

Challenge kids to brainstorm other non-Newtonian fluids (some examples: Silly Putty, whipped cream, yogurt). These would also be fun for students of all ages to play with as a messy center.

Another challenge that incorporates critical thinking skills? Put out some items that don’t meet the criteria and have them sort which are and aren’t non-Newtonian fluids. Don’t forget to ask them why they chose each item for each category.

Child's hand holding blue, purple, and pink oobleck in their fist as it oozes out. A tray beneath their hand has more.

Add some history to your science lesson by introducing Sir Isaac Newton. Not only did he figure out gravity, but he was also a famous astronomer.

Talk to your learners about astronomy and why it’s important. Older students can fill out biography research worksheets. Don’t forget to ask young learners if they want to be an astronaut! (Hint: They all do.)

Galaxy Oobleck is also one of those purply blue colors for a reason. Discuss galaxies and display color pictures. Ask kids why they think they’re those colors when the planets are all different.

Speaking of outer space, your child may also enjoy learning about the planets while making a fingerprint solar system. This all fits in perfectly with an out-of-this-world space unit!

Printable Space Playdough Mats Solar System Directed Drawing

Books About Space for Kids

Pairing books about space with our science activity brings new and more complex topics alive in a fun way! Here are a few galaxy books perfect for elementary-age kids who want to explore the universe beyond.

“Kid Astronomer: The Space Explorer’s Guide to the Galaxy” offers young readers an engaging journey through the cosmos, making the vast universe accessible and exciting.

“Galaxies Galaxies!” by Gail Gibbons simplifies complex astronomical concepts into fun facts and illustrations, perfect for young minds curious about the universe.

“Galaxies and What We Know About Them!” delves into the mysteries of galaxies, providing a foundational understanding of these celestial phenomena.

“Galaxy: Exploring the Sun and Nebulae” takes children on an adventure to learn about the sun’s power and the beauty of nebulae, sparking a love for space exploration.

Kid Astronomer: The Space Explorer’s Guide to the Galaxy (Outer Space, Astronomy, Planets, Space Books for Kids)Galaxies, Galaxies! (New & Updated Edition)Galaxies and What We Know about Them! Space Science for Kids – Children’s Astrophysics & Space Science Books Galaxy: Exploring the Sun and Nebulae: The educational story for kids (Galaxy Books for Kids)The Ultimate Book of Space National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space (National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books)

Fun Preschool Science Experiments

Introducing science to children at a young age lays the foundation for critical thinking, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning.

Engaging preschoolers in simple yet fascinating science experiments fuels their imagination and encourages them to observe, predict, and question the world around them.

Below are a few fun and educational science experiments designed specifically for young learners. These activities are perfect for sparking an interest in science through hands-on exploration and play, making learning enjoyable and impactful.

Use simple kitchen ingredients for making oobleck: cornstarch, food coloring, and jars to mix in.

Galaxy Oobleck Ingredients

To create colorful oobleck, you only need a handful of simple supplies that are probably already in your kitchen. Essential items include cornstarch as the base, along with blue, purple, and pink food coloring to give your goop vibrant hues.

Adding some white glitter will bring a magical sparkle to your creation. You’ll also need 3 jars for mixing each color separately and a large activity tray for easy play and cleanup.

With these supplies, making blue, pink, and purple oobleck is easy and fun, offering endless entertainment for kids.

How to Make Galaxy Oobleck

Combine approximately one cup of cornstarch with roughly ¼ cup of water in each jar. Use one jar for each color.

Three mason jars sitting in purple activity tray. One jar has purple oobleck, another has pink and the third has blue.

IMPORTANT: The perfect oobleck consistency is achieved when it feels solid under pressure but flows easily off your fork or spoon. Adjust with additional cornstarch or water as needed. Stir in the food coloring thoroughly.

Child pouring thick pink gooey substance out of mason jar.

Carefully pour the oobleck from each jar onto a tray, allowing it to blend and create a galaxy-like appearance. Embellish your galaxy with a sprinkle of glitter.

Add glitter to look like stars in your galaxy oobleck.

Demonstrate to the children the technique of tapping the oobleck to solidify it and then releasing it to watch it flow. Over time, the oobleck will transform into a magenta shade, but discovering the joy in mixing is part of the adventure!

Galaxy Oobleck Science Discussion

As the children delight in the hands-on experience of playing with their galaxy goo, engage them by asking for their observations.

Pose questions like how it feels when they grasp it tightly, press down on it, or release their grip. Additionally, ask them about the colors they notice and how the appearance transforms as they play with it, mixing it more and more.

A pair of white hands laying in galaxy colored oobleck.

Can You Save Oobleck?

Yes, you can save Oobleck for future play! After the fun, transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. However, Oobleck only lasts a few days, and it might be best to mix up a fresh batch for most cases.

When you’re ready to play again, gently knead or stir it, adding a bit of water to restore its gooey consistency. Always check for signs of mold or odor before reuse to ensure a safe and enjoyable play session.

Tips for Oobleck Clean Up

Playing with oobleck can get messy but cleaning up is easier than you might think. I found letting it dry first helped the most. Once dried, begin by scraping off any large chunks from surfaces using a plastic spatula or a similar tool.

Let the wet cornstarch dry completely for clothing or fabric, then gently brush it off before putting it into the washer. If it finds its way onto hard floors or countertops, a damp cloth can help wipe it away easily.

Wet oobleck should never be poured down the drain, as it may lead to clogs; instead, dispose of it in the garbage.

Fun Space Activities for Kids

To enhance the cosmic journey of making galaxy oobleck, add more space-themed activities to ignite imagination and deepen space understanding. These could include art projects showcasing the cosmos’ beauty or interactive games teaching astronomy.

Each activity helps young explorers discover space’s wonders, making the vast universe engaging. Perfect for classrooms or at home, these activities enrich any space unit and boost kids’ excitement for science and exploration.

Ultimately, creating and engaging with galaxy-themed oobleck is a captivating learning experience that stretches beyond simple play. It merges sensory exploration with scientific curiosity, allowing children to observe and question the properties of matter in a fun, interactive environment.

This activity brightens their understanding of the cosmos and plants the seeds of interest in scientific discovery that can grow throughout their lives.

By incorporating such imaginative and educational activities into a child’s world, we foster a deeper appreciation for the natural and the astronomical, making every moment of learning an adventure worth cherishing.

Galaxy Oobleck

Yield: 1

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $10 or less

Make this colorful galaxy oobleck for a fun sensory science activity for kids!

Materials

Cornstarch
Blue, Purple, Pink Food Coloring
White or Silver Glitter

Tools

Large Tray
3 Jars or Bowls

Instructions

Mix about a cup of cornstarch and about ¼ cup of water into each jar.
Add one color of food coloring to each jar.
NOTE: You’ll know if the oobleck is the right consistency if it is hard when you press it but slides off your fork or spoon when you let it drip. Add more cornstarch or water to make this consistency. Mix in the food coloring.
Pour the oobleck one jar at a time onto the tray. Let it drip and mix to look like a galaxy.
Sprinkle the galaxy with glitter.
Show the kids how to hit it to make it seize up and relax their fingers to let the oobleck ooze out. Eventually, the oobleck will turn into a sort of magenta color, but mixing it is half the fun!

Notes

While the kids are having hands-on fun playing with their galaxy oobleck, ask them for their observations.

For example, how does it feel when they clutch it in their hand? when they press it down? or when they relax their hand?

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Darcy Zalewski

Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.