I’m not much for mess, but my little guy loves it. Mud, dirty puddles, sand. If it’s questionable, he will check it out. That’s why I love these goo sensory bags. It’s gooey and squishy without any mess! My mom used to make them when I was younger, and I remember scrunching and pressing and smashing it over and over again. It was mesmerizing.
Supplies:
-1 cup cornstarch
-1/3 cup sugar
-4 cups cold water
-food coloring
-sealable bags – I used gallon freezer size
Whisk all the ingredients together in a pot over medium heat.
Continue to cook it all together, whisking frequently. As the mix thickens and solidifies, make sure to keep whisking. You will know the goo is getting to the right consistency when it changes from a white liquid to a blueish, clearish goo. It will look like Vaseline.
Once it’s finished, pull it from the heat. At this point, you can add coloring. Wait until it has cooled to add it to the bags. I found it easiest to add the cooled goo to the bags and then drop in the color.
Then with a bit of squishing, the color gets mixed in. For extra security, you could place tape over the zipped opening or double bag it.
Now it’s time for little finger fun!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
I’m gonna make this right now! thanks!
pomegranate / 3053 posts
Omg my youngest would love this!
honeydew / 7968 posts
Oooh I just need some food coloring!
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
I need to make this!
grapefruit / 4923 posts
filing this idea away for the future!
guest
So fun! I’m moving from Alaska to Kansas in two weeks which means a very long drive. I happened to have some cornstarch languishing in my pantry so I popped up and made it. It’s cooling on the stove now. My boy is going to love it!!!! Thanks.
GOLD / apricot / 341 posts
LOVE this! Finally an activity that both my boys (9m, 2.5y) can get into!
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Awesome idea!!
guest
I’m a grown adult who can’t resist still popping bubble wrap and I still love squishy things like this too. I think it’s things I loved as a kid that have carried on. I would definitely double bag or use tape to seal because I know way too many little kids who inevitably will get curious enough to open it.
grapefruit / 4817 posts
Totally doing this this weekend! Thanks for the idea!
guest
I run a daycare, and made these over the weekend. I was able to make 3 bags out of one batch! I sealed with heavy duty masking tape x2! AMAZING!! – lets just say when it was time to put these away, there was some un happy little ones!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
Do these last as long as the ziplock will hold up or do they turn into liquid after a while?
guest
Love this! My friend’s son broke his leg, and I’ll be making these for him.
guest
Just made this. My girls are so excited. Made them hoping they will entertain them on our long rd trip too. Didn’t have food coloring but I added a lot of glitter and even a few trinkets they can search for. I also used food saver bags to make sure they stay sealed good and tight.
guest
Apparently it’s tasty… good thing it’s all edible ingredients, unlike commercial or some other similar recipes.
guest
Made 2 of them but 2 days later thay started to grow mold did i do something wrong? Is there any way to stop?
guest
Thank you for this awesome idea! I just did it with my son and linked your blog to mine!
guest
Can’t wait to make these for the kids. On a hot day, I’ll pull them out of the fridge for added sensory enjoyment! Thanks a lot!
guest
Just made this for my special needs nephew- his dad says he’ll love it! Had to make another for his twin sister (sibling rivalry and all!) and now my two year old won’t stop playing with it! Guess i better go make a third batch….
guest
Amanda, if you substitute a bit of white vinegar in place of some of the water, that should fix the problem, for next time.
guest
I made one for my 7 month old and she loved it, but it quickly started to smell rancid. It made her whole room smell like a dirty diaper and it took a week to figure out that’s what was causing it. Are they meant to be thrown out after they’re used, could it be that the contents were rotting, or is it just a fluke? My daughter loved it so I really don’t want to give up on it so any advice for try #2 would be appreciated. I didn’t see any mold, but I’ll give vinegar a try this weekend.
guest
Does this take a while to thicken? I’ve been at the stove for a while but nothing is happening?
guest
How long does it last? Does it need to be refrigerated?
guest
i made 5 bags with different textures using this recipe, hair gel, baby oil and liquid soap some with shapes/glitter/stickers. My 1yr old much preferred this recipe without all the fancy additives! Will definitely make this again!
guest
Mine grew mold also will try to add some vinegar.
guest
ohh! mine got lumpy! why was that? but it’s usable still!
guest
Is this goo storable for multiple time use?
guest
This is nifty!! Can I use paint to color it? Like finger paints??
guest
Is it ok to use corn starch powder and liquid corn startch? Also took forever to boil!!
guest
It worked out . . . AMAZING. When I’m mad at my little sister,it works better than a pillow.
guest
I used this recipe for a project. After a few weeks, it began to smell and the texture changed MAJORLY. Why is that??
guest
I used bingo dauber fluid to colour ours and it did not mould… you know… the kind that says keep out of reach of kids!!! Scary. But, the cornstarch goo does mould even sealed…. but that is a science activity in itself!
guest
I’m based in the U.K. So think cornstarch is what we call corn flour over here. I just made the mixture and you are so right, it’s just like Vaseline!!
guest
Love this! I vividly remember making this when I was in pre-k! Do you have any idea how much one batch makes? I am going to be making this with my K4 class which has 19 students. Thanks!
guest
How long can you keep these for?
guest
I’m reading all of these comments from several years back and wondering – why haven’t you responded? I just used up all of my cornstarch to make two batches. I’m worried I’ve wasted my time and supplies.
guest
Is the sugar necessary for the product to come out right?
guest
Is there anything you can use in place of corn starch such as flour or baking powder? (That’s what I have in hand)
guest
How long does it take to set up? Been shocking for a long time… nothing. Whisk vigorously or slowly? Still nothing…