Cornstarch Dough
1/2 C water, 1 C baking soda, 1/2 C cornstarch.
1/2 C water, 1 C baking soda, 1/2 C cornstarch.
- Mix together the soda, water, and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Ask a grown-up to cook over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes thick.
- Add a few drops of food coloring. Cool and knead until it's smooth. Use dough for modeling or roll out and cut shapes.
- Air-Dry dough before painting. Store dough in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Homemade Finger Paint:
(requires a stove): Mix 1 cup flour and 3 cups water and stir over medium heat until it boils. It will turn transparent. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Add coloring (food coloring, powdered kool-aid, powdered jello may not be as bright, but can work) like powdered tempera. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator if it is to be kept longer than a couple of days.
(requires a stove): Mix 1 cup flour and 3 cups water and stir over medium heat until it boils. It will turn transparent. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Add coloring (food coloring, powdered kool-aid, powdered jello may not be as bright, but can work) like powdered tempera. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator if it is to be kept longer than a couple of days.
Salt Dough & Coffee Dough (smells great!)
1.5 C salt, 4C Flour, 1.5C water, 1tsp alum (as a preservative if clay is not baked)
1.5 C salt, 4C Flour, 1.5C water, 1tsp alum (as a preservative if clay is not baked)
- Mix the dry ingredients together (add coffee grounds if you want a dirt effect) in a plastic bowl; then add water gradually.
- When dough forms a ball around the spoon, knead the dough well, adding water if it too crumbly.
- This clay can also be baked. Set the oven to 300 degrees and bak small shapes for 30-40 minutes or until hard.
Cloud Dough
1/2 C water (or more), 1/2 C cooking oil, 2 C flour, 2C salt, food coloring, peppermint oil (if you want it scented.
1/2 C water (or more), 1/2 C cooking oil, 2 C flour, 2C salt, food coloring, peppermint oil (if you want it scented.
- Mix together the cooking oil, flour, and salt. Add a few drops of the food color to the water.
- Gradually add the water (additional water may be needed to bind the dough). Add a few drops of the peppermint oil.
- Knead the mixture until smooth and pliable.