Homemade Mixtures For Creative Art Experiences

The activities in Recipes for Fun! have been tested for safety and child appeal by students and preschool children in the Islip Technical Child Care Classes.

This project was a joint effort of the Islip Career Center Industrial Sewing Class and the Islip Technical Child Care Classes. It was funded in part by a grant from the Mid-East Suffolk Teacher Center.

Super Bubbles

Ingredients:

1 quart warm water
8 Tablespoons liquid dish soap (Joy or Ajax work best)
2 Tablespoons corn syrup or glycerine

Directions:

1. Stir last two ingredients into water to dissolve. Pour small amount of bubble mixture into shallow pan (cookie sheets with sides work well.)
2. For "bubble makers" try straws, 6 pack rings, paper cups without bottoms, twisted pipe cleaners.

Very Silly Putty

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cup white glue
1 cup liquid laundry starch
few drops food color

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Cover and let stand 2 to 3 hours.
3. Drain off excess liquid starch.
4. Knead and have fun!!!
5. Store in tightly covered container when not in use.

NOTE: This mixture lasts about a week before hardening -- but provides hours of fun!!!

Refrigerator Playdough

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 Tablespoon alum
1 cup water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon food color (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together.
2. Mix food color, water and oil.
3. Add liquid to dry ingredients. Knead.
4. Store in plastic bag in refrigerator.

Sand Dough

Ingredients:

1 cup fine sand
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup hot water
food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in medium sauce pot. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired.
2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until dough-like.
3. Knead. Shape and let dry.

NOTES: * Makes great sand castles !! * Dries best in a warm oven.

Cooked Playdough

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons cream of tarter 1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup salt
1 teaspoon food color 1 cup water

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together.
2. Add food coloring to water. Add oil.
3. Add liquid to dry ingredients. Mix.
4. Cook over low heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat when it becomes thick and rubbery. DO NOT OVERCOOK.
5. Remove from heat. Knead.
6. Store in plastic bags or airtight container.

NOTES: * A wonderfully smooth playdough * For variety, add 2 Tablespoons flavoring (vanilla, peppermint) before kneading. Smells great!!

Cornstarch Dough

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cornstarch 1/3 cup water
1 cup salt 1/4 cup cold water

Directions:

1. Mix salt and 1/3 cup water in sauce pot.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat.
3. In a bowl, mix cornstarch and 1/4 cup water until smooth.
4. Add cornstarch mixture to the salt and water. Cook over low heat until thick.
5. Cool before molding.

NOTE: * This dough may be painted when dry.

Wheat Flour Paint

Ingredients:

1 cup wheat paste flour
3 cups water
food coloring or tempera paint

Directions:

1. Add flour to water and stir until dissolved.
2. Add food color or tempera to color paint.

NOTE: * Wheat paste flour may be purchased where wallpaper is sold.

Quick Finger Paint

Ingredients:

2 cups soap flakes (such as Ivory Snow)
1 cup cold water
1 cup liquid laundry starch
food color or tempera paint for color, if desired.

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
2. Store in covered container until ready to use.

Liquid Starch Finger Paint

Ingredients:

Liquid laundry starch
Powdered tempera paint

Directions:

1. Pour liquid starch into empty squeeze detergent bottle.
2. Fill a salt shaker with tempera paint powder.
3. Have children squeeze starch onto paper; then shake tempera onto the starch.
4. Use fingers to create designs.NOTE: This mixture works well with just one color or by blending different colors together.

Pasta Dye

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon food color
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol

Directions:

1. Mix food color and alcohol.
2. Add pasta (ziti, elbows or any other shape) and toss to coat evenly.
3. Air dry in a single layer over paper towels. (It dries quickly)

NOTES: * Makes bright-colored pasta without softening the starch * Great for art projects, stringing beads or math patterning * May also be used to color rice, dried corn or white beans

Creative Tools For Painting

Extend painting activities by using a variety of tools in addition to brushes. Each new tool provides a different creative experience and use of new motor skills.

fingers and feet • feathers • feather dusters • twigs, stems and plants
cotton swabs • leaves • rollers • spray bottles • roll-on deodorant bottles
toothbrushes • string and yarn • brushes • marbles • wheeled toys
straws (blow painting) • sponges • vegetable and fruit prints • spools