How Do You Make Oobleck with Baking Soda

Can you make oobleck with baking soda? You sure can! Although it is usually made with cornstarch, you can also use baking soda.

Oobleck is a super fun activity that most kids enjoy. If the child is sensory sensitive, he may not enjoy this activity. It’s also a science experiment. One minute, the oobleck is hard, the next it’s running through your fingers! Let’s get to it.

How to Make Oobleck with Baking Soda

How to Make Oobleck with Baking Soda

The typical recipe for oobleck looks like this:
– 1 part water
– 1.5/2 parts of cornstarch

Now to make it with baking soda, you will need to do the following:

  • ½ cup of water
  • Add 4 tablespoon of baking powder to the water.
  • Stir for a good 45 seconds.
  • Add 4 tablespoon of baking soda.
  • Continue stirring for a good 1 to 2 minutes until you see a thick consistency.

Note – if you don’t have baking powder, you can make it with 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda mixed with 2 tablespoons of Cream of Tartar.

What is oobleck used for?

Oobleck can be used as a science experiment in your classroom or with your kids.   But mostly, it is commonly used as a sensory activity for kids.  See all the activities you can do with it below.

Can I make oobleck with other ingredients?


Yes, there’s a lot of recipes out there.  Some use glue, and others use baby powder.  
The most common recipe is the cornstarch recipe above. 

Activities you can do with oobleck


Rainbow Oobleck

Love this activity! Make one batch of oobleck but then divide them into little bowls and add some different colors to each bowl. Let the kids have fun by mixing colors together to create a rainbow oobleck.

Creative Painting with Oobleck

This is lots of fun. Have the kids paint a masterpiece with oobleck. Painting with oobleck can be messy but it’s all about the experience! Let it drip and see what they can create.

Chocolate Oobleck Mud Dough

This one is a little thicker than the other activities, more like dough. But it makes the perfect taste-safe chocolate mud dough for the little ones!!

See 25 Oobleck Sensory Play Activities for more ideas.

What to do with oobleck when you are done?

DO NOT DISPOSE this mixture in the sink or the toilet!  It can cause some serious blockages in your pipes. 

Always dispose of your oobleck in your trash.  We recommend keeping the oobleck no longer than 24 hours or it could develop some mold.

Other sensory activities and resources you may enjoy:

Easy Sensory Activities for Kids
Sensory Activity Cube Printable
Difference between Sensory Seeker and Sensory Sensitive