SparKits On Demand

Cornstarch Ooze

Companion Page

Age Group

Preschoolers

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Skill Builders

Skill Builder - Language Development

Language Development

Skill Builder - Expression of Emotions

Expression of Emotions

null

Science Concepts

What You'll Need

1-cup cornstarch
1/2-cup water (more as needed)
Bowl
Spatula or spoon
Tray (e.g. cookie sheet)
Optional: Zip-top bag

Let's Begin

  1. Help your child measure the cornstarch into the bowl.
  2. Add water to the cornstarch in small amounts at a time, stirring between each addition.
  3. When the ooze becomes the consistency of yogurt, pour it into the tray.
  4. Have fun touching, stretching, pouring and just playing with the ooze.

Get their brains going…
Talk about what is happening to the cornstarch as you make the ooze, encourage your child to talk about the experiment.

Store your cornstarch ooze for up to a few days by placing it in a zip-top bag.

CDC Milestones

Curious about your child’s development? All children develop at their own pace, but the Center for Disease Control’s developmental milestones can be a helpful guideline. Here are a few examples:

Infants
1-year-old
  • Shows fear in some situations
  • Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
  • Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named
Toddlers
18-months-old
  • Explores alone but with parent close by
  • Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures
  • Drinks from a cup
Preschoolers
2-years-old
  • Shows more and more independence
  • Knows names of familiar people and body parts
  • Might use one hand more than the other

Additional family resources

Early Childhood Alliance Logo
Bright by Text Logo
211 Logo
Early Learning with ECA

Learning begins at birth. ECA provides foundations for learning, starting with age-appropriate experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool. ECA also offers a range of family support programs that encourage family involvement with children’s learning.

Free tips and learning games

This free texting service provides quality, developmental information for parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age eight right to your phone. Messages include research-based, age-appropriate content from national experts, along with local updates of events and resources.

Free resources at your library

Your local library has many resources for you as a parent as well as for your child. We encourage you to take advantage of all they have to offer. For an online list of libraries by city, go to publiclibraries.com/state

Find help in your community

Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-502-0700 for free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral assistance. Trained 2-1-1 Specialists can connect you to local organizations that can assist you with food, housing, health care, transportation, education and more.

Use of the materials described above are done so at your own risk and any children interacting with these materials should do so only under close adult supervision.

Copyright 2019-2021 Early Childhood Alliance. Spark a Future, SparKits, and the spark logo are the registered trademarks of Early Childhood Alliance, Inc.

Any unauthorized copying, alteration, distribution, transmission, performance, display or other use of this material is prohibited.