Play Dough/Clay Recipes

Kids love playing with play dough and clay.  They will be entertained while showing their creative side. 

These recipes below are easy to make and I find work the best for creating great projects. 

Dough making tips:

1. If mixture is too sticky add more flour

2. If you use the air dry clay recipe, be sure the shapes are not too thick.  The thicker they are, the longer they will take to dry.

Creative tips:  

1. Add Glitter to the dough while kneading for an extra sparkle

2. Use cookie cutters to create shapes

3. Make ornaments by using a pencil to poke a hole at the top of your shape. After decorating put string through the hole to hang.

 

Kool-Aid Play Dough 

Materials: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 packages of unsweetened  Kool-Aid drink mix, 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 cups of boiling water 

Step 1: Mix the Kool-Aid, flour and salt in large bowl

Step 2: Have an adult add 2 cups of boiling water the mixture, stir

Step 3: When the mixture has cooled down,  knead dough into a ball until color has blended

Step 4: When you are finished playing with the dough, store in an air tight container or zip lock bag and keep in the refrigerator

 

Jell-O Play Dough

Materials: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup war water, 1 3 ounce package of Jell-O

Step 1: Combine ingredients in a medium size pot

Step 2: Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture thickens. It will be done when it’s too thick to mix

Step 3: Place on parchment paper until cool about 30 mins

Step 4: Play, when finished store in an air tight container or zip lock bag and keep in the refrigerator

 

Air Dry Clay or Oven Bake Recipe 

Materials: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Step 1: combine dry ingredients

Step 2: Add water and oil to mixture

Step 3: Knead together until smooth

Step 4: play and create.

Step 5: Let dry overnight (the thicker the shape the longer it will take to harden) then paint

 Optional Baking Method

Bake shapes at 250 for 50 minutes – 60 minutes let cool then decorate

Air Dry Recipe 

Materials: 1 cup water, 3 cups salt, 1 cup cornstarch

Step 1: In a pot mix water and salt

Step 2: Slowly add cornstarch to mixture while stirring over medium heat

Step 3: The mixture will start to thicken continue to stir until a ball can be formed

Step 4: Remove from heat and let cool for 30 mins

Step 5: Knead clay together until smooth

Step 6: Play and create

Step 7: Let dry overnight (the thicker the shape the longer it will take to harden) then paint