Mud, glorious mud! Make your own cornstarch mud for hands-on sensory play indoors or outdoors. Magic mud or oobleck mud is the perfect way to keep kids busy and exploring with their senses at the same time. We love fun sensory activities for kids!
HOW TO MAKE MUD FOR SENSORY PLAY
WHAT IS MAGIC MUD?
Learning how to make magic mud or oobleck mud is one of the easiest play activities you can do on a small budget with kids of all ages, and in a class setting or at home. I love how versatile our main oobleck recipe truly is and it provides a neat science lesson along with great tactile sensory play!
What is in magic mud? We use three simple ingredients; cornstarch, water and a handful of dirt.
No, this play mud is not edible! Check out our dino dirt cups or our collection of edible slime recipes for a fun edible alternative kids can play with.
Check out more fun goop recipe variations…
THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY
There is a gray area for the right consistency for your play mud. First, you don’t want it to be very crumbly, but you also don’t want it to be very soupy either. If you have a reluctant kiddo, hand them a spoon to start! Let them warm up to the idea of this squishy substance. Never force them to touch it though.
Magic mud with cornstarch is actually a Non-newtonian fluid which means it is neither a liquid nor a solid. You should be able to pick up a chunk of it and form it into a ball before it turns back to liquid and drops back down to the bowl.
Once you have your mud mixed to the desired consistency, you can add your accessories as desired and play!
Also check out more mud play ideas!
Printable Earthworm Life Cycle Pack
While you’re playing with this ooey gooey wormy magic mud, extend the learning with this free printable earthworm life cycles pack!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE EDIBLE SLIME RECIPES
MAGIC MUD RECIPE
SUPPLIES:
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup clean dry soil or dirt
- Optional; rubber worms
- Bowl
Generally, magic goo is a ratio of 1:2, so one cup of water to two cups of cornstarch. However, you will want to keep some additional cornstarch and water on hand if you need to get the consistency right.
INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1. Add the cornstarch to a large bowl.
STEP 2. Add the dirt and mix the dry ingredients together well.
STEP 3. Add the water to the cornstarch mixture and combine.
STEP 4. Now time for the fun part! Playing with mud! Add your worms if using and get your hands messy!
Is it a liquid?
Or is it a solid?
MORE FUN SENSORY PLAY ACTIVITIES
MAKE YOUR OWN MAGIC MUD AT HOME TODAY!
Click on the image below or on the link for fun and easy sensory activities for kids.
