MODELING CLAY AND PLAYDOUGH RECIPES

AIR HARDENING MODELING CLAY

2 cups baking soda
1 cup cornstarch
1.5 cups cold water
(makes about 2 pounds - the recipe can be halved).

Baking soda and cornstarch make a smooth, pliable play clay that can be colored with everyday food coloring - or left white and painted once it hardens. When you have made your model, leave it to air dry - turning every 12 hours or so.

Place ingredients in a pan and stir until smooth. Set the pan over a medium heat and stir until boiling. Stir out any lumps and cook until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes.

Turn out onto a plate and cover with a damp, well-wrung kitchen towel - let cool. Dust a work surface with cornstarch and knead until pliable.

BAKING CLAY

4 cups plain/all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 teaspoon powdered alum (optional)
1.5 cups water

Mix ingredients in a bowl.

This clay bakes best if the ornaments are not too thick - about 1/2 inch is best.

Bake your ornaments on an ungreased baking tray for 30 minutes then turn and bake them for another 90 minutes until they are hard and dry (keep an eye on them so they don't burn). You need a low oven temperature - about 250 degrees F or 120 degrees C. When they are cool you can smooth them with fine sandpaper before decorating and varnishing.

NO COOK PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

2 cups of plain/all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 cup cold water
1 tbsp oil (vegetable oil is fine - baby oil smells lovely).

Drop the ingredients into a plastic bag and seal. Let the children knead them together inside the bag - then tip it out for modeling fun.

HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH

2 cups plain all-purpose flour

1 cup salt

2 tablespoons cooking oil

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 cups of water

Put all dry ingredients in a saucepan. Add water, oil and color. cook slowly and stir all the time. As it gets hot it will begin to thicken up. Knead on a floured surface.

Alternatively, microwave on high for up to 6 minutes. Remove frequently and stir. Knead on a floured surface.

TAKEN FROM http://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/how-to-make-clay.html

SLIME

2 cups cornstarch

1 cup warm water

food coloring

Stir the cornstarch into the warm water, a little at a time until all of the starch has been added. The reason for using warm water instead of room temperature water is because this makes it easier to mix the slime without getting any clumps. You can add a little more starch if you want a thicker slime. Add a small amount of water if you want a runnier slime. Also, the consistency of the slime is affected by temperature. Warm slime will flow more readily than cool or refrigerated slime.

Add food coloring to achieve the desired color.