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Home-Made Play-Time Recipes

Melissa & Doug Shape, Model and Mold
» Buy US | UK

When my boys were little and money was tight, I often made their craft supplies. Usually I made the recipes below and gave the craft supplies to the boys as Christmas gifts! It was so inexpensive, and the boys could have all sorts of colours without breaking the bank.

Home-Made PlayDough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
1 TBSP cream of tartar
2 TBSP cooking oil
food colouring (optional)

Add food colouring and oil to water in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Turn down heat, add dry ingredients to liquid, stirring quickly. Dough will very quickly form a ball. Turn onto floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes.

Eating PlayDough

(DISCLAIMER: This is not for childen under 4 yrs. old or those with potential allergies)
Spoon about 2 TBSP of peanut butter into a bowl. Add equal amount of honey. Add enough powdered milk to make a dough. Children can eat what they make!

Melissa & Doug Finger Paint Paper Pad
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Home-Made Finger-Paint

1/3 cup cornstarch
3 TBSP sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups cold water
1 tsp. dish detergent
food colouring (optional)

In a medium saucepan, mix all ingredients. Cook on low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon for 12-15 minutes. Mix should be smooth and thick. Cool and divide the mix into containers for different colours. Add food colouring a little bit at a time until reaching the desired colour. To store, cover tightly.

Pudding Finger-Paint

1 pkg. (4oz) instant pudding and pie filling
2 cups cold milk

Put pudding and milk in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low for 2 minutes, until smooth. Let set until thick. Children can lick and paint at the same time!

Toddler Art Smock
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Home-Made Salt-Dough Art

1 cup salt
2 cups flour
1 cup warm water

In large bowl, mix together. On a floured surface, roll dough out about 1/4 inch thick with a lightly floured rolling pin. If using cookie cutters, dip in flour first, or make your own designs using knives (under supervision), butter spreaders, cups, etc. You may use toothpicks, straws, the heads of screws, forks, etc. for special effects (under supervision). When done, place on cookie sheet and bake 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cooland decorate with paint. If making ornaments, mobiles, wall hangings, etc. you may wish to make a hole in the top with a toothpick or straw, BEFORE cooking. Unused dough to be stored in a covered container in fridge.

Home-Made Paper Mache

1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
1/2 inch strips of newspaper
balloon

In a large bowl, mix flour and water so it is not sloppy (dripping). Stir until completely mixed. Let stand 1 minute. In the meantime, blow up balloon and knot. Place balloon in a large bowl to set. Do not cover the knot with mache. Put newspaper strips into mixture, then smooth on balloon. You may also put a thin layer of flour mixture on the balloon, then put the newspaper strips on, making sure each one is moist but not soaking wet. Cover balloon completely twice, letting dry in between layers. To dry, place in a warm place (not near direct heat) for 2-3 days. When dry, pop the balloon with a pin, make sure the mache is dry. Paint, glue things on, use spray paint and glitter, etc.

RECOMMENDED READING:
♥ Make Your Own Playdough, Paint, and Other Craft Materials: Easy Recipes to Use with Young Children, by Patricia Caskey - » Buy US | CA | UK
♥ Recipes for Art and Craft Materials, by Helen Roney Sattler - » Buy US | CA | UK
♥ Crafty Kids: Make Your Own Craft Supplies: Stories and Recipes for Crafting Fun, by Rhetta Akamatsu - » Buy US | CA | UK
♥ Kids Play: Simple craft recipes and ideas for preschoolers, by Erin West - » Buy US | CA | UK
♥ The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book: Over 500 Creative Games, Activities, Crafts and Recipes for Your Very Busy Toddler, by Robin McClure - » Buy US | CA | UK

This article compliments of Born to Love.

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Contact: catherine@borntolove.com

Born to Love articles are written by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

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