Make a Mess

Post by Elvira Yanez, Summer Early Childhood Intern at Kidspace Children's Museum

Teach children the difference between liquids and solids through experimenting with cornstarch and water. In this activity, children will be able to understand through hands on experience about liquids and solids. They will specifically be experimenting with cornstarch and water. They will be able to examine the properties of the two elements as they mix.

INGREDIENTS: (amounts vary, depending on how much you want to make)

cornstarch
water (a little bit goes a long way)
cup
large plastic bowl
food coloring ( your choice)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pour the cornstarch into a plastic bowl

2. Mix a few drops of food coloring into a cup of water

3. SLOWLY pour SMALL amounts of water into the cornstarch

4. Have the children help mix the cornstarch and water, it’s hard work!

**It is better to add too little water than too much, take your time!

5. Let the children explore the mixture

Squeeze it into a ball in your hand and then let it just sit there and drip away. Poke your finger into the mixture and see what happens when you remove your finger.

After the cornstarch and water have fully been mixed ask children:

-What has happened?
-What does it feel like?
-Does it feel like a liquid or a solid?
-Does it feel like a rock or does it feel like water?

Through questions such as these and through this fun activity children will be able to learn the difference between a solid and a liquid!

Throw the mixture away in the trash… putting it down the drain may cause a clog. ENJOY!