A few recipes for today - a great way to continue exploring outdoors in this beautiful spring weather. Corn starch is a wonderful substance for sensory exploration. Mix 2 cups of corn starch with a 1 to 1 and a half cups of water in a large bin and stir together. The resulting substance is called oobleck after the Dr. Seuss's classic, Bartholomew Cubbins and the Oobleck.
It is great for sensory exploration as it can be picked up and molded, pinched into a cube or rolled into a ball. Let it sit in the hand a minute and it will ooze again - flowing through the fingers like a liquid. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian liquid meaning that it has properties of both a liquid and a solid. It flows like a liquid when poured but acts as a solid when it comes in contact with force - meaning you can pat, punch and shape it like a solid.
It is a fascinating substance for both adults and kids. Learn more about making oobleck here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Oobleck/Young kids will enjoy this silly substance and the pure sensory quality of feeling it on their hands. Older children may be more interested in the science, seeing how it behaves as both a liquid and a solid.
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Can you make something that will float on the surface of the oobleck? Try different recycled materials to create an oobleck vehicle.If oobleck starts to feel dry and crumbly, add a bit more water - it cleans up easily with water or vacuum the dry corn starch when you are finished.
Another great use of corn starch is homemade sidewalk paint. In this case the corn starch and water are mixed in equal proportions. Shake or stir together in a covered jar with a drop of washable paint or food coloring for color. It works much the same as store-bought sidewalk paint with simpler clean up and less cost.
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Paint the town! The paint will hose down easily and corn starch does not seem to attract bugs so no worries there. Again, it is easy to clean off hands and shoes with water. A great way for young kids to enjoy big painting outdoors. Try mixing jars of different colors and see what kind of masterpiece you can create.
So next time you are at the grocery store, pick up a box of corn starch and get ready for some easy art and science fun.
