Why make a Pumpkin oobleck? Because we love pumpkins! I have been so excited about all the awesome fall sensory activities we have tried this season. This non-Newtonian fluid is super fun when you add it to a pumpkin! Find new ways to learn and play with pumpkins this fall season.
Pumpkin Oobleck
Here’s how to make this simple, three-ingredient, hands-on science play with real pumpkins! Our original how-to-make oobleck recipe is a hit all year round. Don’t miss out on making a Pumpkin-Cano, too!
You will need:
- cornstarch
- water
- pumpkin (we used half of a 3-pound sugar pumpkin from the grocery store)
- bowl and plate or cookie sheet and spoons
How To Make Pumpkin Oobleck
We only used half a pumpkin, which was perfect for our needs. Use the whole thing if you have a few kids or a class! However, we did bake the other half and made a delicious fall treat with it!
💡Add our pumpkin parts coloring page with parts of the pumpkin to this activity.
This mixture is for half a pumpkin. When using the whole pumpkin, you might want to mix the oobleck in half. This recipe is one you need to tweak to your liking and sensory needs.
STEP 1. Cut the pumpkin in half and loosen the guts and seeds (this is an awesome time to discuss pumpkin parts or the life cycle, too!). Set aside a few seeds to top the pumpkin afterward.
STEP 2. Measure 1 cup of cornstarch and pour into the pumpkin.
STEP 3. Add about a half cup of water to the pumpkin.
STEP 4. Mix well with your hands! If the mixture feels too runny, add a bit more cornstarch. Too dry? Add a bit more water. Just make sure to add very small amounts at a time!
STEP 5. Place the pumpkin on a cookie sheet or in a shallow tub for easy play.
💡 Mixing Note: If the mixture is too runny, add more cornstarch and vice versa. You should be able to pick it up like a solid and have it begin to ooze as a liquid. That’s Oobleck in a nutshell! Also, note that you may need to adjust the number and size of pumpkin guts in your pumpkin!
What Is Oobleck?
Oobleck is a fun mixture made from cornstarch and water. It’s also a bit messy!
It is an excellent example of a mixture! A mixture is a material of two or more substances combined to form a new material that can be separated again.
Could the oobleck mixture be separated into cornstarch and water again? How?
Try leaving a tray of oobleck out for a few days. What happens to the oobleck? Where do you think the water has gone?
More Fun Ways To Make Oobleck
Conduct An Oobleck Experiment
Learn more about applying the scientific method and choosing variables.
1. Explore Viscosity
Want to experiment with viscosity? Change the ratio of water to cornstarch! Viscosity is the physical property of fluids, including how thick or thin they are and how they flow.
- What happens when you add more cornstarch? Does the oobleck become thicker or thinner?
- What happens when you add more water? Does it flow faster or slower?
2. Make Oobleck Without Cornstarch
You could try making oobleck with flour, powder, or baking soda and compare the similarities and differences.
We tried an oobleck experiment of our own using just cornstarch and glue. Find out what happened —> Oobleck Slime
Check Out More Fun Pumpkin Activities
Printable Pumpkin STEM Pack
Perfect for K-2/3rd Grade and homeschool! Many activities can be modified for preschool and older kiddos as well.
Pumpkin is a festive and classic theme for fall and this pack is perfect for exploring pumpkins with a non-Halloween theme! Includes science, STEM, engineering, early math, and art projects.
The kids will have a blast trying 100+ pages of “totally doable” projects! Read more here.
Printable Pumpkin Preschool Pack
Need a younger version of our Pumpkin STEM Project Pack? Perfect for older toddlers and preschoolers to explore pumpkins this fall season. 14+ Pumpkin theme activities include instructions, templates, and a great book list.
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