Arts for Crafty Kids
Goofy Putty
1 C white glue
1-1⁄2 C liquid starch
food coloring (optional)
sodium benzoate (optional, retards mold)
Mix glue and coloring in plastic container. Add starch a little at a time, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until mixture holds together like putty.
Cover and let stand for 3–4 hours. Pour off extra starch. Store in a sealed container or a plastic egg.
Super Sidewalk Chalk
1 C plaster of paris
1⁄2 C cool water
2–3 t dry tempera paint
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pour mixture into candy molds and let dry completely.
Pop chalk out of molds, and you are ready to color!
Fantasy Finger Paint
1 pkg unflavored gelatin
1 C cold water
1⁄2 C cornstarch
2 C boiling water
food coloring or poster paint
Soak gelatin in 1⁄4 cup cold water. Set aside.
In a saucepan, mix cornstarch with 3⁄4 cup cold water to form a smooth paste. Pour boiling water slowly over cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and clears. Remove from heat.
Stir in gelatin. Cool and divide into separate small screw top jars. Add color. Refrigerate after use.
Play Clay
1 C flour
1⁄2 C salt
1⁄2 t cream of tarter
1 C water
1 t vegetable oil
Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until it holds together.
Remove from pan and, when cool, knead until blended smooth. Place in plastic bag to store.
Incredible Edible Dough
1 C peanut butter
1 C honey
2 C powdered milk
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Add more milk powder to make a more workable dough if needed.
Terrific Transfer Ink
2 T soap powder of soap shavings
1⁄4 C hot water
1 T turpentine
Dissolve powder in water. Add turpentine. When cool, pour into screw-top bottle and store far away from small children.
Dip brush into ink and brush over newspaper or magazine picture to be transferred. Wait for 10 seconds. Place a piece of paper over the picture and rub with a spoon. Lift paper off of picture.
Monster Bubbles
6 C water
3⁄4 C corn syrup
2 C Joy dish-washing liquid
Mix together. Set aside for four hours before using to allow bubbles to settle.
Sticky Stampy Glue
1 pkg unflavored gelatin
1 T cold water
3 T boiling water
1⁄2 t white corn syrup
1⁄2 t lemon extract
Sprinkle gelatin into cold water. When softened, pour gelatin mixture into boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add corn syrup and lemon extract and mix well.
Cut out any decorated piece of paper that you would like to turn into a stamp. Brush glue on the back and let dry. Moisten to apply.
Salt Map Modeling Stuff
1 C salt
1 C wheat flour
2⁄3 C water
food coloring
Mix salt and flour well. Add just enough water to make mixture like thick paste. Add food coloring.
Spread on cardboard and shape appropriately. Will dry in about two days.
Lots O‘ Lint Smoosh
3 C dryer lint
2 C water
2⁄3 C wheat flour
3 drops oil of cloves
Mix lint and water until lint is damp. Add flour and oil and stir thoroughly.
Cook over low hear, stirring constantly, until mixture holds together and forms peaks. Pour out and cool on several thicknesses of newspaper. Store in airtight container.
Shape over boxes or jars or use like papier-mâché pulp. Will dry in about four days to a very hard surface.
Forrest Glump
corn starch
water
food coloring
Put some cornstarch into a bowl. Mix in just enough water to make it pasty. Add food coloring.
This makes a messy slime, that can go from liquid to solid.
Forever Flowers
5 C fine-ground cornmeal
2-1⁄2 C powdered borax
Mix together and put in a covered shoebox or similarly-sized container.
Lay fresh flowers in a single layer on top of 1⁄2 inch of mixture. Cover the flowers with at least 1⁄2 more of mixture. Cover box and keep at room temperature for about a month. Carefully remove mixture and flowers when done.