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Activity: Ooze!

Materials:
Measuring cup, cornstarch, yellow food coloring, blue food coloring, large bowl, spoon
Time:
30 minutes
Skills:
Physical science

When salt or sugar mixes with water, these substances dissolve in the water to form solutions. Substances that do not dissolve in water form a mixture called a suspension. With your child, follow the instructions below to create a suspension and investigate its properties:

  1. Pour one cup of cornstarch into the bowl.
  2. Measure out 2/3 cup of tap water. Turn the water green by adding three drops of yellow food coloring and three drops of blue food coloring.
  3. Slowly pour the green water in the bowl. Mix well with the spoon.
  4. Take a handful of the green substance and roll it into a ball.
  5. Stop rolling and let the ball rest on your palm.


Explain to your child that cornstarch and water is a type of mixture called a suspension mixture that never really mixes together. Rolling the mixture in your hands, it compresses together and feels dry. Once you stop rolling, the cornstarch starts pulling away, leaving ooze in your hands.