Making & Exploring Goop

Activity Overview

Goop is a classic classroom sensory material because it provides so many opportunities for exploration and sensory growth. In this activity, the student will be an active part of following and understanding the recipe for the material, as well as being able to explore the finished product. This stretchy – but not sticky – substance allows the student to use their fine motor muscles in their hands to manipulate the material, and engages them in sequencing, planning and chemistry as well.

What You Need

• Goop recipe

• Large mixing bowl

• Mixing spoon

• Loose parts list

Steps

1. Help your student follow the goop recipe to create your own batch of goop. Once the goop has been mixed, it has to be gently kneaded for about five minutes.

2. Once it has taken shape, allow the child to explore the material freely.

3. After the child has played with just the goop, add loose parts, cooking materials, trucks, play figurines, or whatever your child has interest in.

Guiding Questions

• During each step, focus your discussion on the changes you’re observing. Does the mixture change? Does the smell change? Does the feeling or texture change? Does the material change the way it acts?

• Can we change the color of this goop?

• Once the goop is finished, how does it move? How long can it stretch? Can you make the goop thin? Can you see through it?

Extensions

• Add animals, building blocks, baking materials, cooking materials, trucks, play people, and other materials to the goop. What does it do to them?

• Make multiple batches of differently-colored goop. After they’re completed, mix them together - can you combine the colors?