After our fizzling baking soda and vinegar experiment, I couldn’t wait to do something a little more hands on for my daughter. And I knew just what I wanted to try…something I remembered doing back in junior high school.
The funny thing is, just as the thought popped into my head, it also started popping up all over Pinterest! I guess great minds think alike!
Have you guessed what we did yet?
This is another experiment that really only takes 2 ingredients, but adding food coloring makes it a lot more fun!
I gave each preschooler a small container and a spoon. Then we measured out 1 1/2 cups of corn starch.
I let them try feeling the corn starch. They loved how silky it was, so different from baking soda and flour. And definitely messier! (You should have seen my camera after these pics!)
Then we added 1 cup of water (and a few drops of food coloring) and started stirring. (You could use green food coloring and make it St. Patrick’s Day Goo, or call it Oobleck from Dr. Seuss’ Bartholomew and the Oobleck
The mixture should look like a liquid, but it should be hard to stir and feel stiff. If it’s not quite there, add a little more corn starch, a tablespoon at a time, until it is the consistency that you like.
My daughter had to put her hands in it right away!
You can just see her smile….
She loved how it felt hard when she squeezed it and then would ooze between her fingers when she opened her hand. The best part? When she said, “Mommy, I love this! Thank you!” (Yes, she really said that.)
My son was a little more reserved with his experiment…
He preferred using the spoon to test its liquid and solid qualities…and drip it all over the table.
As they played, we talked about solids and liquids. I mentioned to them how similar their container of gunk was to quicksand, having qualities of both a liquid and a solid. Of course then we had to try putting a few small objects on top to see what would happen. It was fun to watch the pennies slowly sink beneath the surface. It was even better to see Peanut’s reaction when she tried to get them back out!
If you do this experiment, I recommend having a large bowl of water on hand for kids to soak their hands in afterwards. Since we did ours in cheap plastic containers, I was able to put the lids on and save them to play with again the next day — I just added a little water to it again a few tablespoons at a time.
It is definitely a messy, but fun, learning experience that we will be repeating!
Do you have another messy science experiment we should try?
Shared on Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Milk and Cuddles, Creative Juice, Kids Activities Blog, Fluster Buster, Homeschool Creations, Cheerios and Lattes, Creative Jewish Mom, No Time for Flashcards, I Heart Naptime, Kids Creative Chaos
~OneMommy
So funny… this is exactly what I wrote about today! I’m came over to get your Dr. Seuss button! I’m going to publish it anyway and link up. Great minds think alike!
Ginny Marie recently posted..Tips and Tricks Tuesday: Leak-Proof Ice Pack
Definitely link it up!
Great minds do think alike!
I think I wrote something similar on your post,
That looks so fun!! I need to send your blog link to my sister who home schools…you always have great ideas!!!
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My daughter is STILL enjoying hers….. We just add a little water to it when she wants to play.
I’m honored you’re sending her my link!
I love doing stuff like this with my kids. I’ll have to give this one a try. I’m following you via G+. I host Fluster Creative Muster Party on Wednesdays and I would love it if you would come by and party with us. Hope to see you there!
Hugs, Smiles, and Blessings,
Robin
Fluster Buster
Robin recently posted..Swagbucks – Make Money by Doing What You Already Do
Thank you so much for the follow and +1.
I am off to check out your Fluster Creative Muster Party — sounds fun!
My kids will love this one! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
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Mine keep asking to do it again! Have fun!