Hands-on Fun with Homemade Play Materials

Store bought Play-Doh is nice, but this stuff is "edible" (though extremely salty), lasts forever, and makes enough for several kids to play.

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons vegetable food coloring

Thoroughly mix the flour, salt, and cream of tarter in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the water and food coloring, then cook the mixture over medium heat and stir (about three to five minutes). The mixture will look like a "globby" mess and you'll be sure it's not turning out . . . but it will! Store the play dough in airtight container or plastic bag. My last batch lasted a whole year!

This fun clay can also be used to make your own Christmas presents or decorations for the tree—use your imagination! You'll need the following:

Mix:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups baking soda (1 pound)
• 1 ¼ cups cold water

Optional:

• Food coloring
• Tempera paint (water colors) or
• Acrylic paint
• Shellac or clear nail polish

Stir the cornstarch, baking soda, and water in a saucepan over medium heat for about four minutes or until it thickens to moist mashed potato consistency. Remove the mixture from the heat, turn out onto a plate, and cover with a damp cloth until cool. Knead as you would dough. Shape as desired, use cookie cutters, or store in airtight container or plastic bag for later use.

For color, add a few drops of food coloring to the water before it is mixed in with the cornstarch and soda. Additionally, objects may be left to dry and then painted with water (tempera) colors or acrylics. Dip them in shellac or brush with clear nail polish to seal them.