Sidewalk Chalk, Finger Paints, Play-Dough, Bubble Soap and other Goodies
compiled by Catherine Fournier
Summer time is for playing outside, for climbing trees, lying on the grass reading a book or watching the ants, for digging 'to China' in the sand-box. If you're a kid, that is. For the grown-ups in charge of those kids, summer time is fun, but it is also a time of challenges - how to entertain children outdoors? How to keep them close by and near your careful eye?
In addition, as a Catholic parent, I'm interested in using everything in my family's life to contribute in some way towards the building of our 'domestic church.' Bubble soap and play dough may not obviously have anything to do with the Crucifixion. But things that help my children play together and enjoy simple pleasures rather than battery-powered ones, do ultimately strengthen the family. If their friends join in, so much the better. I can monitor my children's associations, and perhaps be a positive influence on these other children.
These recipes should help make your back-yard the place to be.
Sidewalk Chalk
Ingredients
Directions
3/4 cup plaster of paris
Mix ingredients together with water to consistency of mashed potatoes
2 teaspoons liquid tempra paint.
Pour into empty toilet paper rolls, covered at the bottom with plastic wrap, held on by an elastic band or foil
Set upright on a cookie sheet and let dry.
After they are dry, peel off the toilet paper roll.It may stick, but will eventually come off as the kids wear them down. THESE CHALKS LAST FOREVER!
Paints
Outdoor Paints
Ingredients
Directions
2 cups Ivory soap flakes
Mix ingredients together.
1 cup water
Store in air tight container
Food color
Finger Paint 1
Ingredients
Directions
3 Tablespoons sugar
Mix sugar and cornstarch. Add water.
1/2 c. cornstarch
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly.
2 c. cold water
Divide into separate containers and allow to cool. Add a few drops of food color to each and stir.
Food color
Freezer paper works great with this paint and usually runs cheaper than "official fingerpaint paper."
Finger Paint 2
Ingredients
Directions
1 cup cornstarch
Mix cornstarch and boiling water
1 cup boiling water
Add soap flakes, and food colouring.
1/2 Ivory soap flakes
Mix throroughly and allow to cool.
food colouring
Use small amount of slippery freezer paper. Have Fun!
Finger Paint 3
Ingredients
Directions
1 cup warm water
Whip the warm water and flour together.
1/4 cup flour
Add the powdered colour and mix well.
powder food colouring
Pudding Finger Paints
VERY MESSY! Make pudding according to package directions. Save some to paint with and eat the rest for dessert. Kids have fun making their designs and fun licking their fingers too! Pudding paint is fun in the bath-tub!
Jello Paints
Mix jello with a very little water, it should be thick. This can be painted on stiff cardboard to make decorations. It smells good and lasts a long time.
Water Colors
Ingredients
Directions
1 tablespoon vinegar
Stir together the first two ingredients. It will foam, a great lesson in chemical reactions.
1 tablespoon baking soda
Add food colouring
food colouring
Mix in last two ingredients.
4 tablespoon corn starch
Put in small containers and allow to harden.
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
Use like water colours. Make one for each colour desired.
Play doughs
Soft Play Dough
Ingredients
Directions
2 1/2 cup flour
Combine dry ingredients
1/2 cup salt
Stir in boiling water.
1 tablespoon Alum
Divide into parts and add food colour to each
2 cups boiling water
Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
2-3 tablespoons oil
Hard Play dough
Ingredients
Directions
4 cups flour
Mix dry ingredients, add water
1 cup salt
Knead 7 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
1 1/2 cup warm water
Add food colour if desired.
Make desired items and allow to air dry.
Items can then be painted.
Silly Putty
Ingredients
Directions
1 cup white glue
Mix glue and starch together
1/2 cup liquid starch
Knead until completely mixed and smooth.
food colour if desired
Add food colour if desired.
Mixture should be solid, but stretchy
HINT: The longer you knead it, the better it gets.
Peanut Butter Play Dough
Ingredients
Directions
1 cup Peanut butter
Mix all ingredients together. Knead until smooth.
3 cups powdered milk
This will not keep, but if you mix granola into it and roll into balls, then roll the balls in coconut, you have a great snack!
1 cup corn syrup
Store in the refridgerator
Kool-Ade Play Dough:
Ingredients
Directions
2 1/2 cup flour
Mix dry ingredients together.
1/2 cup salt
Add water and oil, stirring well
1 tablespoon alum
Knead until smooth, allow to cool
2 packages Kool-Aid
Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons cooking oil.
Peppermint Play Dough
Ingredients
Directions
3 cups flour
Combine all ingredients together in saucepan
1 1/2 cup salt
Cook over medium heat until mixture pulls away from sides of pan.
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
Be sure to stir constantly.
3 cups water
Knead, add colour if desired.
3 tablespoons oil
Will last 3 months if refrigerated.
peppermint extract
Cream Cheese Mints/Edible Playdoh
Ingredients
Directions
3 ounces softened cream cheese
Combine cream cheese and peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Gradually add sugar
2 to 2 1/2 cups icing sugar
Knead until dough is no longer sticky.
Divide into portions, knead in food colour
For mints: shape into 3/4 inch balls, flatten with a fork and let dry at room temperature.
For playdough: store in baggie in the refri gerator.
Bubble Soap
Bubbles 1
Ingredients
Directions
2 cups liquid detergent
Mix together, store in jar
6 cups water
3/4 cups corn syrup
Bubbles 2
Ingredients
Directions
1 cup water
Mix together, store in jar
1/3 cup Joy or Dawn dishwashing detergent
Dip large end of a funnel into bubble mixture, blow through small end.
