Oobleck Color Factory Outdoor Activity

Looking for a fun way to spice up oobleck? An oobleck color factory is not only so, so easy to set up, but it’s hours of fun for your little humans!

We’ve done oobleck color factory for years

Oobleck on its own = AMAZING.

Oobleck color factory = EXTRA AMAZING.

We’re adding one quick and easy addition to regular oobleck and in turn, adding a million extra layers of fun.

Related: Our GIANT 10-foot coloring banners are the ultimate outdoor activity.

A young girl holds three eye droppers and squeezes green water into a clear container with oobleck. Around her are the ingredients for oobleck color factory, including cups of colorful water and a container of cornstarch.

How do you make an oobleck color factory?

Just make regular oobleck like normal (don’t worry, I’ll share how if you’re new to it!).

Then, provide kids with very diluted colors to mix into the oobleck.

We’re taking a science activity, adding in art, and, in turn, creating a fantastic STEAM activity for kids.

Looking for more ways to use oobleck? Look no further!

Materials

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Cornstarch
Water
Coloring – liquid watercolors or food dye
Shallow container
Eye droppers or spoons
Small cups
Floor mat – optional

Three photos: (1) a young girl pours cornstarch into a clear plastic container, (2) she adds water to the same container, (3) she has a surprised, happy face while she mixes the cornstarch and water with her hand.

Directions

Set up oobleck color factory in three easy parts.

#1: Make cups of colorful water

Fill small cups with water and add in a couple of drops of coloring (you want your colors to be significantly diluted)
Add eyedroppers or spoons to the cups of water

#2: Make oobleck

Combine 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water
Mix until it’s fully incorporated and solid when squeezed in your hand but can quickly ooze through your fingers

#3: Mix colors and oobleck

Invite your kids to add the colorful water directly onto the oobleck
Mix and observe the new colors made

You’re going to hear things like

“I mixed yellow and blue, and it made green!”

“How can I make orange?”

“We mixed all the colors, and it looks so cool!”

A young girl adds blue water to a container of oobleck with teal water already squirted onto it.

Why is oobleck so cool?

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian substance, and it is neither liquid nor solid.

If you add firm pressure, it can feel firm like a solid.

If you release pressure, it can move like a liquid.

It’s one of the absolute most incredible things to make with kids, and no matter how many times we make it (a lot), it’s always amazing!

A close up of water squirted on top of oobleck in yellow, blue, green, and teal.

FAQ

What age is oobleck recommended for?

Technically regular oobleck is taste-safe (cornstarch and water), but I wouldn’t do or use this with kids who might ingest the materials as large quantities of consumption are not safe.

How long does oobleck last for?

Days! If it starts to get dry, add more water to rehydrate.

How do you dispose of oobleck?

My favorite method is to let it dry out completely, then to throw away in the trash. This method is so easy.