NEED SOME IDEAS FOR THOSE “I’M BORED” AFTERNOONS? THEN, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. DO ‘EM WITH YOUR KIDS… THEY’RE FUN!

PLAY DOUGH (small batch)
1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 c. salt
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
food coloring

Mix all of the above ingredients in a pan. Cook for 3 Minutes, stirring constantly. When done, the dough will gather on the spoon. Empty onto wax paper. Cool and knead. store in covered container or plastic bag.
No refrigeration needed.

PLAY DOUGH (large batch)
3 cups flour
6 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup salt
3 Tbsp. oil
3 cups water
food coloring

If using boiling water, no need to cook. Just mix. Place on wax paper to cool Knead. Store in covered container or plastic bag. No refrigeration needed.

UNCOOKED PLAYDOUGH
1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 tsp. vegetable oil
3 cups flour
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Tempera paint or food coloring

Mix water, salt, oil and enough paint to make bright colors. Gradually work flour and cornstarch to consistency of bread dough.

KOOL-AID PLAYDOUGH (The recipe may be cut in half.)
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 Tbsp. cream of tartar
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid Mix
3 Tbsp. cooking oil
2 cups boiling water

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Stir quickly. Place in covered container.

FINGER PAINT #1
1/4 cup liquid starch
Powdered Tempera Paint (favorite color)

Place liquid starch on a large piece of shelf paper (cut to desired size). Shake a little powdered tempera paint on the starch. Mix it in with your hands. Make a picture.

FINGER PAINT #2
2 cups flour
5 cups cold water
food coloring

Cook the flour and water together until smooth. Add some salt and let cool. Add food coloring, a few drops at a time until the desired color is achieved.

SOAP FLAKE FINGER PAINT
In blender, mix:
1 cup laundry starch
1 cup cold water
3 cups soap flakes
Food coloring or powdered Tempera Paint

LIQUID STARCH FINGER PAINT
1/4 cup liquid laundry starch
2 drops food coloring
or 1 tsp. tempera paint

Mix ingredients in small plastic bowl until blended.

LAUNDRY STARCH FINGER PAINT #2
1 cup laundry starch dissolved in cold water
1 qt boiling water
1 cup pure white soap flakes or powder
Food coloring or poster paint

Add boiling water to starch and cold water mixture and boil until thick. Remove from heat and stir in soap. Divide into small containers and add food coloring as desired.

OATMEAL PLAYDOUGH
1 part flour
1 part water
2 parts oatmeal

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Knead. Non-edible but not toxic if eaten by mistake.

CORNSTARCH FINGER PAINT
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
Food coloring
Soap flakes or liquid dish washing soap

Mix sugar and cornstarch in medium saucepan over low heat. Add cold water and stir until mixture is thick. Remove from heat. Divide into four or five portions (in muffin tins or cups). Add a drop or two of food coloring to each portion and a pinch of soap flakes or soap. Stir and let cool. Store in airtight container.

FACE PAINT
1 tsp. corn starch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
Food coloring

Stir together starch and cold cream until well-blended. Add water and stir. Add food coloring. Using a small brush paint designs on child’s face. Remove with soap and water. Store in airtight container.

FACE PAINT FOR LARGER AREAS
1 tbsp. solid shortening
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Food coloring

Mix shortening and starch together until smooth. Add food coloring. Use a sponge or your fingers to apply to face. Great for turning faces green on Halloween. Remove with soap and water. Store in airtight container.

POSTER PAINT
1/4 cup flour
1 cup water
3 tbsp. powdered tempera paint
2 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. liquid starch or liquid detergent

Measure flour into saucepan. Slowly add 1 cup water until mixture is smooth. Heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Cool. Add 1/4 cup flour paste into small jar or plastic container. Add tempera paint and water for each color. For opaque finish add liquid starch. For glossy finish had liquid detergent.

PUDDING PAINT
Instant vanilla pudding
Food Coloring

Mix pudding according to directions. Add food coloring as desired. Finger paint on paper plates or parchment paper.

CONDENSED MILK PAINT
1 cup condensed milk
Food coloring

Mix one cup condensed milk with a few drops of food coloring. This makes a very bright, glossy colored paint.

PAPER MACHE PASTE
1 cup water
1/4 cup flour
5 cups lightly boiling water

Mix flour into one cup water until mixture is thin and runny, stir into boiling water. Gently boil and stir for 3 minutes. Cool before using. (Use with newspaper/newsprint strips for Paper Mache). This project can be messy and may take a few days to complete, but it’s so much fun and everyone can do it! Once the paste is cool, dip strips of newspaper or newsprint into it and then apply to a form. Most kids use balloons, bowls, or plates, but you can also make forms out of light wire, shaped into animals, flowers, objects, etc. Apply layers of newspaper strips dipped in paste. Add two or three layers to your form, allow to dry and repeat layers if necessary. When completely dried, paint or decorate!

CLAY
1 cup corn starch
2 cups baking soda
1 1/4 cups water

Combine above ingredients. Cook until thickened to dough-like consistency. Turn mixture out on pastry board and knead. Keep in plastic bag. The finished clay artwork may be painted when dry.

KOOL-AID PLAYDOUGH
1/2 cup salt
2 cups water
2 tbsp. salad oil
2 cups flour
2 tbsp. alum
Kool-aid for color

Boil salt in water until salt is dissolved. Add Kool-aid for color. Add salad oil, flour and alum. Knead or process until smooth. Keeps for two months or longer.

SALT PLAYDOUGH
1 cup salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup flour

Mix ingredients and cook over medium heat. Remove from heat when thick and rubbery. As mixture cools, knead in enough flour to make a workable dough.

PEANUT BUTTER PLAYDOUGH – IT’S EDIBLE!
18 oz. peanut butter
6 tbsp. honey
Non-fat dry milk
Cocoa for flavor

Mix all ingredients, adding enough dry milk to give make dough pliable. Shape, decorate, and eat!

NO-BAKE CRAFT CLAY
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups cold water
2 cups baking soda
Food coloring
Paint

Mix all ingredients except paint in saucepan over medium heat for 4 minutes until thick (like mashed potatoes). Add food coloring to water before mixture adding for color. Remove from heat, turn out onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth until cool. Knead like dough. Store in airtight container.

BAKER’S CLAY
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tsp. powdered alum
1 1/2 cups water
Food coloring

Mix all ingredients in bowl. If too dry work in extra water with hands. Color by dividing and adding food coloring to each portion. Roll or mold as desired. Once molded or rolled bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 30 minutes in 250 degree oven. Turn and bake another 1 1/2 hours. Remove and cool. When done, sand lightly if desired and paint.

MODELING CLAY
2 cups salt
2/3 cup water
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water (cold)

Stir salt and water over heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cornstarch and cold water. Mix until smooth, return to heat and cook until thick. Cool before using. Store in plastic bag.

Use this time to talk and share matters of the heart. Enjoy this time with your kids and build memories that last a lifetime! You’re not just having fun… you’re building character and investing in the eternal.