We put a fall spin on our classic Oobleck experiment for this fun sensory experience! Little Brother enjoyed the texture of our Pumpkin Oobleck, but Little Sister wouldn’t even get close to it!

 

If you are not familiar with “oobleck” that isn’t actually its real name (the name was inspired by the sticky substance in Dr. Seuss’ book Bartholomew and the Oobleck). The combination of cornstarch and water is known as a Non-Newtonian fluid because it does not have properties of either a solid or a liquid…it behaves as both! Cornstarch is made up of long chains of atoms. When you move them slowly past one another, they flow like a liquid because they can slide easily past each other. When you squeeze, roll, or agitate them, the “atom chains” will get entangled and form a solid! Pretty cool, huh?

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

A pumpkin

1 cup of cornstarch

1/2 cup of water

Hand-mixer (optional, but makes it much easier)

 

1. Mix 1 cup of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water. This is the classic “Oobleck” recipe.

 

 

2. Cut open the top of your pumpkin.

 

Gotta love pumpkin innards!

 

3. Use your hand mixer to loosen up the insides of the pumpkin.

 

4. Pour the oobleck into the pumpkin.

 

5. Mix together for a few seconds using your hand mixer.

 

The texture is especially unique with the pumpkin seeds inside the oobleck!

 

Love this face! He thought it was grossly cool and Little Sister kept a safe distance.

 

 

 

“Maybe I’ll just put one finger in. Wait. Nope…not doing it.”

 

 

 

Put the lid on it and save it for later. The cornstarch will dry out a bit, but you can just add more water.

 

 

Check out more fun pumpkin-inspired activities here!