Oobleck at Different Ages
Books for Kids
- Bartholomew and the Oobleck
- Oobleck-GEMS Book
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Oobleck: Infants
Oobleck can be a fun science activity for people of all ages. We provide these generalizations as guidelines about what children at different ages might do during Oobleck explorations at the Discovery Center’s Experiment Station, in the kitchen at home, or at school. Listed below are science and technology process skills that children may be practicing during their explorations. Please remember: each child develops at a different rate, so some children in each age group may be able to do some of the things described in the age group before or after their own.
How might infants explore Oobleck?
Explore and Observe - Infants
Oobleck is a safe substance for children of all ages to explore, and a great sensory activity for infants!
Because the materials used to make oobleck (cornstarch and water) are safe for babies to explore (they can even get some in their mouths!), Oobleck is a great activity for mixed-age groups of children.
Many infants enjoy touching or squeezing Oobleck in their hands because of its smooth texture.
Talk to your infant about how the Oobleck feels as they play with it.
As children play, use lots of descriptive words for how it looks and feels — this will help them develop their emerging vocabulary.
Use Tools - Infants
Some older infants are learning to use utensils, and may enjoy holding and manipulating the tools older children use while playing with Oobleck.
Other infants (and most people, actually) will prefer to explore Oobleck with their bare hands!
Very Special Clean Up - Infants
Remember our special clean-up instructions!
Oobleck can clog your sink drains, if not disposed of properly! To clean up, rinse off your infant’s hands, and any tools/containers used, in a bowl filled with water. Then let the bowl sit for several hours, or overnight.
In the morning, all of the cornstarch will have settled to the bottom of the bowl. You can then pour off the water into the sink, but make sure to dump the remaining Oobleck (which will be at the bottom) into the trash.