Activity
Make a Fistful of Slime!
Help keep your child's scientific enthusiasm alive by tackling a cool and crazy experiment! Create a concoction that breaks the rules about what's a solid and what's a liquid. Sometimes called “oobleck” after the Dr. Seuss nonsense word, this unique slime has some surprising behaviors that will leave young experimenters craving more chemistry.
Grade
Subject
Thank you for your input.
What You Need:
- Bowl (preferably a wide shallow bowl)
- Measuring cups
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Food coloring (optional)
- Resealable plastic bag
What You Do:
- Pour ⅓ cup of water into the bowl. If you want to add food coloring, drip five drops into the water.
- Measure ¾ cup of cornstarch and begin sprinkling it into the water, a little at a time, until the measuring cup is empty.
- Let the concoction stand for three or four minutes. Have your child predict what the mixture will feel like.
- Now reach a hand (or both!) into the concoction. If needed, add more water or cornstarch.
- Press the slime into a hard ball. Open your hand and watch and feel the ball return to its liquid state!
- Talk with your child about solids and liquids. Ask: What do you think this slime is? Why?
- Discuss polymers, using the information below to guide your conversation.
- Store your slime in a resealable bag. (Never pour slime down the drain. If you need to discard it, put it in the trash.)
Why it Works
Slime is a polymer (a natural or man-made compound made of long chains of identical molecules called monomers). It's also a "non-Newtonian fluid." That means it breaks the rules that scientist Isaac Newton wrote saying a liquid moves and acts the same whether you're squeezing it, holding it, or just observing it. How does it do it? Cross-links of molecules and the right proportion of ingredients!
Related learning resources
Make Slime! How to Create a Colloid
Science project
Make Slime! How to Create a Colloid
Slime: It's oozy, it's goopy, and it's just plain fun! Learn how to make slime with this fun science fair project.
1st grade
Science project
Spooky Slime
Activity
Spooky Slime
In this fun science project your child will get practice following directions and getting messy as they learn all about slime!
kindergarten
Arts & crafts
Activity
Homemade Slime
Activity
Homemade Slime
This gooey, squishy recipe will introduce your second grader to the world of measurements without seeming like a lesson or a chore.
2nd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make a Pulley
Science project
Make a Pulley
Learn about this simple machine and make a pulley of your own to use for fun science trials.
2nd grade
Science project
Make a Timeline of an Influential Person
Activity
Make a Timeline of an Influential Person
Children research and make a timeline of an inspiring woman in this biography activity.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
How to Make a Dreidel
Activity
How to Make a Dreidel
Learn how to make a dreidel with this simple tutorial. See how to make a dreidel out of clay for Hanukkah games.
1st grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make a Gingerbread House
Activity
Make a Gingerbread House
Make a gingerbread house with your kid with this tutorial. Learn how to make a gingerbread house using a milk carton, graham crackers, and frosting.
1st grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make a Water Magnifier!
Activity
Make a Water Magnifier!
Here's an interesting activity that will enable your child to make his own magnifier out of a drop of water
3rd grade
Science
Activity
Make a Haunted House
Activity
Make a Haunted House
Learn how to make a haunted house with this Halloween craft. See how to make a haunted house with a project that is fun for ghosts and ghouls alike.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make a Clock!
Activity
Make a Clock!
In this hands-on craft project, kids will make an analog clock of their own, and then use it to learn how to tell time.
1st grade
Math
Activity
Glossary: Make a Prediction
Worksheet
Glossary: Make a Prediction
Use this glossary with the EL Support Lesson: Make a Prediction.
3rd grade
Worksheet
Make a Holiday Scarf
Activity
Make a Holiday Scarf
Have your child make a holiday scarf with inexpensive materials, no sewing required!
5th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
See this activity in a set:
Colorful Kitchen Chemistry