MOON SAND:
Mix 9 cups extra fine, colored play sand. Add 3 cups cornstarch and 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 cups water. Start with 2-1/4 cup and gradually continue adding water until you have the desired consistency. Mix well. Cover and store in an airtight container.
FLUBBER
1/2 cup white Elmer's glue
2/3 cup warm water
food coloring
1 teaspoon Borax
2 glass bowls
In a small glass bowl, mix together glue, 1/3 cup warm water and food coloring (add enough drop until desired color). In another glass bowl, mix Borax and 1/3 cup warm water. Pour glue solution into bowl containing Borax mixture, gently stir together. It will be wet, and within a few minutes it will set.
SIDEWALK PAINT:
You'll need 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 1/2 cup water and food coloring. Combine the cornstarch and water. Mix until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring. Make a few batches of different colors. Use paintbrushes, foam paint rollers or sponges to paint the sidewalk.
WINDOW PAINT:
Mix together equal parts dish washing liquid and washable liquid paint or powdered tempera. Mix until it's a creamy consistency. Use paintbrushes. Easy to clean from windows with a moist paper towel, too.
KOOL-AID DOUGH
1-1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup salt
1 packet Kool-Aid unsweetened drink mix
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1-1/2 tablespoons oil
wax or parchment paper
airtight containers
Mix first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add boiling water and oil; stir with fork until cooled, then mix with hands until well combined. Place on wax paper; knead until no longer sticky, adding additional flour 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency. Store in refrigerator.
SHAVING CREAM PAINT:
Combine nongel shaving cream with a couple of drops of food coloring. Let your child use construction paper, a sliding glass door, a section of foil or a cookie sheet, or just sit in a tub for finger-foam fun. Easy to clean. Simply rinse with water. Puffy paint can be made from shaving cream, too. Use equal parts glue and shaving cream. Add a couple of drops of food coloring or tempera paint for color. Use a paintbrush and paint onto construction paper.
FINGERPAINT
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
1/4 cup liquid dish soap
food coloring
Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a small pan. Slowly add the cold water and mix thoroughly. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring frequently, until it is smooth and gel like. Once it starts to boil (5 minutes), turn it off. Add the dish washing liquid and stir. Divide the mixture into small containers. Stir in food coloring. Cover when not in use.
TUB SOAP PAINT
1 cup of Ivory soap, grated
1/2 -- 3/4 cup water
food coloring
frosting tips
plastic baggies
Put the soap shreds in a food processor. Gradually add water until it is a gooey, sticky consistency.
Put frosting tips on plastic bags. Scoop the mix into bags. Add the coloring to the bags and mix with your hands to distribute color.
HOMEMADE BUBBLES:
Visit www.bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html for various bubble recipes, or try the one below.
1 gallon water
2/3 cup liquid dish soap
2 to 3 tablespoons glycerin or corn syrup
Stir together. Test and adjust ingredients until desired results are reached.
photo by frankenberryskiss