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