Play Dough! 1 cup of flour 2 t cream of tartar 1/2 cup of salt 1 cup of water 1 T vegetable oil 1/4 t food coloring Combine flour, cream of tartar, and salt together in a saucepan. Combine water, vegetable oil, and food coloring together in a small bowl. Slowly stir liquid into flour mixture, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat for three minutes until mixture pulls away from side of pan. When mixture is cool enough, you can mix it more with your hands. Play a little! See what you can make! When finished, put into plastic bag to keep it fresh. Store at room temperature. Finger Paints! 1/2 cup of flour 2 cups of water food coloring Mix the flour with a little water, stirring out the lumps. When smooth, slowly stir in the rest of the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture gets thick and shiny. Pour some of the mixture into small containers (yogurt or baby food work well). Stir in the drops of food coloring until the paint is bright and the color you want. Let cool. Salt can be sprinkled into the wet paint to create a sparkling effect when dry. Use this technique on dark-colored paper for snow scenes or eerie ghosts. (from EcoArt! by Laurie Carlson) Creative Clay! 1 cup of cornstarch 1 cup of baking soda 1-1/4 cups of cold water Mix ingredients together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir, about 5 minutes until it's very thick -- like mashed potatoes. Cool on a plate until you can work with it with your hands. Roll, cut, or shape as you wish. Let dry for about 2 days. Paint with acrylics, tempara, watercolors, or markers. If you are making ornaments, press a paper clip into the soft clay for a hanger, or punch holes with a nail before the clay dries. (from EcoArt! by Laurie Carlson) Silly Glob! 1/2 cup of Borax 2 quarts + 1-1/2 cups of water 2 cups of white glue food coloring (Choose ONE color) Lysol (the Lysol stops spoiling) plastic bags for storage (Zip Lock is best) Directions: 1. Mix together 1/2 cup of Borax with 2 quarts of water. Allow the mixture to settle and then use only the clear liquid. Set aside. 2. Mix 2 cups of white glue (Elmer's is best) with 1-1/2 cups of water. Add food coloring (just a few drops) if you would like the GLOB to have color. Add a few drops of Lysol (this prevents spoilage). 3. Add the clear liquid in #1 with the mixture in #2. Knead the mixture together with your hands into your SILLY GLOB. 4. Store in plastic bag (zip-lock type is best). (from Gamekids) Bubbles! 1 cup liquid dishwashing detergent 2 cups of warm water (not to hot!) 3-4 tablespoons of GLYERINE (you can find this at drugstores) 1 teaspooon sugar food coloring (you choose your favorite color!) a bottle for storage Directions: 1. Mix together gently all the ingredients in a big container. 2. Use a container with a tight fitting lid or cap for storage. Note: You can use almost anything to blow bubbles: pipe cleaners shaped into a circle at one end, plastic six-pack beverage holders, paper cups, plastic coat hangers, straws, and funnels. (from Gamekids)