Create a fall oobleck sensory bin with only a few ingredients. Using the supplies you already own, this control-mess activity is a perfect blend of fall, sensory, pumpkins, and fun. A quick and easy fall activity is just moments away.
Have a little fall oobleck fun
Everyone ready for a little bit of a toddler mess?
Just kidding… this wasn’t that big a mess. It was a contained-mess activity and absolutely perfect for fall.
What is a fall oobleck sensory bin? Loads of sensory fun for my toddler and a great way to play with pumpkins this season.
RELATED: Looking for more fall activity ideas? Check out my list of incredible activities.
The Supplies
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- Pumpkins
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Storage container – I use these to keep messes in check
- Some random kitchen utensils
- Orange food coloring (optional) or make your own with red and yellow food coloring
There’s not much you need to make this memorable activity – and you most likely have every ingredient on hand.
How to make a fall oobleck sensory bin
Oobleck is one of my favorite substances to play with. It’s a non-Newtonian fluid which is a fancy way of saying “kind of a solid and kind of a liquid.”
How to make oobleck is so easy. The recipe follows the same ratio no matter how you plan to use oobleck.
To make oobleck, use 2 parts cornstarch to one part water.
In this specific bin, I used:
- 1 cup of corn starch
- 1/2 a cup of water
- Squirts of orange coloring into the water
Stir in a bowl with a wooden spoon, then pour into the storage container.
How to play with fall oobleck
I set my pumpkins in the storage container and set tools around it. In my head, my son (2.5) would use his hands to engage with the oobleck and put it on the pumpkins.
In reality, he hated touching the oobleck and would only use the tools to trip it over the top of each pumpkin.
That’s fine: it’s his activity, not mine.
RELATED: Fall memories don’t have to be expensive! Check out my Fall Bucket List with cheap and easy ideas.
Spooning oobleck over pumpkins really showcases the science of oobleck.
This is so clearly a liquid as it oozes off the spoon… but once you touch it, it breaks like a solid will.
Older children will love debating oobleck with you: is it a solid or is it a liquid?
Tips for Fall Oobleck
- Add essential oils: If you have oils, consider add a drop or two of kid safe fall scents to the oobleck.
- Have a wet washcloth next to your child. This helps build independence on cleaning and gives your child control over how messes they get. They can easily wipe off and reset their mess level.
- Put down a big sheet or shower curtain. Under my bin is a “toddler tarp” aka the dollar store shower curtain (these can be washed).
- Know your exit! Have a clean-up strategy for the end of this. I usually take my kids to the bath tub after this.
Cleaning up oobleck
Oobleck is surprisingly easy to clean up, but it can look a little scary. Here’s a few ways to do it:
-Remove the pumpkins. Hose off outside or clean off in the sink/tub. This is a great bonus pumpkin bath activity.
-Carry the sensory bin outside and rinse it out OR take it to the bath tub and rinse out in the bathtub.
Oobleck is cornstarch and water. You need to “flood” the oobleck to make it fully liquid again. Over watering the oobleck will make it fully a liquid again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! Food coloring is water soluble – and heavily diluted in this activity.
Food coloring will rinse of little hands (if any gets on) and come out of clothing easily (just set the clothing is cold water for a few hours).
Remember think stages not ages. What stage is your child in? Do they like sensory play? Are they comfortable getting their hands (potentially) dirty?
Additionally, it’s more important to consider a child’s interests rather than their age. Activities are like food. Every child has different tastes and different foods they like. Age doesn’t play a role in what foods kids like, and it doesn’t often play a role in activity-enjoyment either.
Cornstarch packaging recommends it be heated or cooked and not consumed raw. Please do your homework and give this your best judgment for when your child is ready for it.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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angie says
I have heard of gak before but never pumpkin gak This sounds like lots of great fall fun.