Crafts For Tots

PAINTS

• 8 tbsp. powdered paint
• 1 tsp. white glue
• 2 tbsp. liquid starch
• 3 drops oil of cloves (obtainable from any drug store)

INSTANT PAINTS

• RECIPE 1

  Mix a few drops of food coloring to a small amount of liquid starch.

• RECIPE 2

  Mix egg yolk, dry detergent and food coloring. May be used on glass, foil or shiny paper.

FINGERPAINTS

• RECIPE 1

  Mix 1 1/2 cups starch with enough cold water to make a paste. Slowly add 4 cups of boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook until clear, avoiding too hot a fire. While still warm, stir in 1 1/2 cups soap flakes. Add 2 tablespoons glycerine. Add food coloring to portion which will be used immediately and store the remainder in the refrigerator in a covered jar.

  These paints work best on glazed paper such as shelf paper.

• RECIPE 2

  In a double boiler, mix 1 cup cornstarch (or laundry starch) with enough cold water to form a smooth, thin paste. Add 1 cup flaked soap chips and 1/2 cup salt (which acts like preservative). Add 1 quart water and cook until thick (increase amount of water if necessary). Beat with an egg beater, and place mixture in empty baby food jars, adding food colouring to each jar.

  One teaspoon glycerine makes mixture more pliable and easier on the hands. Vanilla or oil of cloves can be added to mixture to create a nice smell.

• RECIPE 3 ( no cook)

  Mix 6 tablespoons dry laundry starch with just enough cold water to make mixture liquid and smooth. Pour this mixture slowly into 1 quart boiling water, stirring well until thick. Add a drop of oil of cloves and mix again. Divide into portions (a muffin pan is a good holder) and add food coloring.

SOAP-BUBBLE-BLOWING LIQUID

Mix together gently:

• 4 cups water
• 12 teaspoons glycerine
• 8 teaspoons liquid tincture of green soap (available from drugstore but as a substitute, grate or grind very pure toilet soap and use 8 teaspoons of the resulting powder)

Let liquid stand for 24 hours before using.

SILLY PUTTY

• 2 parts Elmers' Glue-All
• 1 part liquid starch

Gradually pour starch into glue and mix. If mixture is sticky, add more starch. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Note: This silly putty can be cut with scissors or be pulled or twisted.

MODELING CLAY

• RECIPE 1

  Mix together:

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • Food coloring, optional

  Store in refrigerator.

• RECIPE 2

  Mix and cook over low heat until mixture thickens:

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup water
  • Food coloring, optional

  Cool before using

• RECIPE 3
  • 1 cup salt
  • 4 tablespoons oil
  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
  • 2 cups water
  • Food coloring

  Combine and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture becomes stiff and comes away from sides of pot

  Store in a closed container or plastic bag.

• RECIPE 4

  Mix:

  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 1/2 cups cold water
  • Food coloring

  Heat over medium fire, stirring constantly until mixture is doughlike. Cool, covered with a damp cloth. Coat finished products with a shellac to seal and preserve.

• RECIPE 5 - VICTORIAN SALT CLAY

  (can be used to make beads for necklaces)

  Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan. Stirring constantly, heat over a low flame for about 4 minutes (Do not boil). Remove from heat. Quickly mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water together and add this combination in one go to heated mixture. Stir and mix quickly. If resulting mixture is not a thick paste, place back on low heat and stir for about a minute until mixture is doughlike.

  Treat like bread dough - knead on flat surface until dough is a smooth and pliable mass. Can be stored in plastic or foil and kept in an airtight container.

  Color can be added when dough is being cooked or when being kneaded, or modelled objects can be painted when dry.

  It takes 2 days for a modelled object to dry at room temperature. For quicker results, preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and then turn the oven off. Place the model in the oven, preferably on a wire rack, and leave inside until the oven has cooled off.

  For a finishing touch, smooth dry models by rubbing gently with sandpaper or an emery board.

  To make beads for a necklace, punch holes with a toothpick while the clay is still pliable. You can also string the beads through a thin wire, letting them dry on the wire itself.

  Clay can also be rolled out like cookie dough and cut with a cookie cutter.

MONSTER MAKE-UP

• 1 tsp. fuller's earth (available from drugstore)
• 1 tsp. plain yogurt
• 1 tsp. water
• A few drops of food coloring

Lightly apply to face, avoiding areas around mouth and eyes. (Use lipstick and/or eyeshadow for these areas).

Make-up will wash off with water.