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Favorite Craft Recipes

Ask an adult before trying any of the following recipes. Always read the instructions and follow them completely. If there is something you do not understand, please take a moment and ask questions. Finally, the recipes listed below are for crafts and making items, not for eating.

Alum Dough

Yields: 2-1/2 cups
This recipe may be the perfect dough. It keeps without refrigeration for a couple of months, it dries overnight, and it does not have to be cooked.

Materials:
3 teaspoons alum
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
powdered tempera
paints
mixing containers
airtight storage containers

Procedure:
Combine the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and the oil. Mix thoroughly. Divide the dough into several portions, place in mixing containers, and add tempera paints to achieve desired colors. Model and let dry. Store unused dough in airtight containers.

Jewelry Clay

Materials:
¾ cup flour
½ cup salt
½ cup cornstarch
warm water

Procedure:
Mix dry ingredients together. Gradually add warm water until the mixture can be kneaded into shapes. Make beads by rolling the dough into little balls, piercing the balls with toothpicks, and allowing the balls to dry. Paint and string the beads.

Papier-Mache

Materials:
newspapers
water
liquid laundry starch, thick water and flour paste, wheat paste, liquid glue, or old library paste diluted with water

Procedure:
Tear newspapers into very small pieces. Soak the pieces in a pan of hot water. Squeeze out the excess water until the newspaper becomes pulpy. Add a small amount of one of the following: liquid laundry starch, thick water and flour paste, wheat paste, liquid glue, or old library paste diluted with water. Use papier-mache for free molding or mold it around an existing shape such as a jar, a can, a box, or a crumpled wad of newspaper.

Salt Map Mixture

Yields: 3 1/2 cups
This formula has a lumpy texture, similar to that of the earth's surface. Therefore, maps made from this recipe look terrific. However, the mixture takes longer to dry than other recipes.

Materials:
1 1/2 cups coarse salt, such as that found on soft pretzels
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups water
mixing bowl
mixing spoons
wood or cardboard
basepaints and paintbrushes

Procedure:
Mix the coarse salt and flour together in the bowl. Add enough water to make a stiff dough. Apply immediately to the wood or cardboard base. Paint when thoroughly dry (2 to 3 days).

Sidewalk Chalk

Makes 4 sticks of chalk.
This chalk is great for hopscotch and sidewalk pictures. Do not use it on chalkboards.

Materials:
2 tablespoons powdered tempera paint
½ cup water
1 cup plaster of Paris
mixing container
mixing spoon
small paper cup

Procedure:
Mix all ingredients in a container. Pour into small paper cups. Let harden overnight. Peel off the paper and use.

Silly Stuff

Makes 2-1/2 cups
Similar to commercially prepared dough, silly stuff is for temporary use. It does not dry well.

Materials:
1 cup flour
½ cup salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
food coloring (optional)
stove or heating element
pot
mixing spoon
air-tight storage container

Procedure:
Mix all ingredients in the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture sticks together in a ball. Remove the pot from heat and let the dough cool. Squeeze and knead. Have fun! Store in an airtight container.

Tea Dye

Makes 1 quart.
This dye is tan in color.

Materials:
5 tea bags
1 quart water
stove or heating element
large enamel or stainless steel pot
wooden mixing spoon
container to collect dye bath
materials to dye

Procedure:
Combine the tea bags and water in the pot. Boil for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags. Add material to dye.

Transparent Window Paint

Students love working with the petroleum jelly. This paint does not run, and it can easily be removed if mistakes are made; however, it does not dry to a hard finish.

Materials:
petroleum jelly
food coloring
plastic spoons
paper cups

Procedure:
Spoon a small amount of petroleum jelly into each paper cup. Add drops of food coloring and stir to obtain desired colors. On a window, the paint will appear lighter than it does in the cup, so make the shade a bit darker to compensate.

Uncooked Finger Paints

As an initial introduction to the use of finger paint, a mixture of powdered tempera and liquid starch is probably the most interesting and successful medium. Supply several colors and powdered tempera for the children.

Materials:
1/8 cup liquid starch
1 tablespoon powdered tempera

Procedure:
Pour starch directly onto paper. Sprinkle the tempera over the starch. Mix the color in as you paint.

Homemade Bubbles 

Who doesn't like to blow bubbles on a warm spring day? This easy recipe made with handy household ingredients will keep kids entertained all afternoon long.

Materials:
1/2 cup dishwashing detergent
4 1/2 cups water
4 tablespoons glycerin (available at most local pharmacies)
air-tight container
spoon
measuring cups

Procedure:
Measure out the water, detergent, and glycerin into a container. Stir the mixture together. If a foam forms, gently skim it off the top. Find something with which to blow bubbles and begin to have fun!

Invisible Ink

Write secret messages to your friends with this easy recipe for invisible ink!

Materials:
1 laxative tablet
1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol
cotton balls
household ammonia

Procedure:
Mash the tablet into the tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Make sure the tablet is completely dissolved. Write a message on a piece of paper using a paintbrush dipped into the mixture you just made. As the solution dries, the writing will magically disappear! To decode your message, dip a cotton ball into a bit of household ammonia and gently dab the paper. The writing will reappear!



Glimmer Paint


A simple mixture of flour, water, and salt create puffy paints that sparkle when dry!

Materials:
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
food coloring
squeeze bottle or plastic baggie

Procedure:
Mix together the salt, flour, and water; the mixture should be about the consistency of pudding. Add food coloring until the desired shade is reached, then use a funnel to transfer the paint to a squeeze bottle. You can also transfer the paints to a plastic baggie, then snip off one tiny corner for a make-it-yourself applicator. Store leftover paints in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to three days; stir or shake before using.

Sidewalk Paint

This homemade Sidewalk Paint is so easy to make and eco-friendly too!

Materials:
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup water
8 drops food coloring
small containers
paint brushes

Procedure:
In a small container mix the cornstarch and water. Add food coloring. Repeat to make as many colors as you can. If you want white paint don't add any food coloring! You'll notice when you paint it looks a little watery, but when it dries the colors will be vibrant. If you are using this paint outside on a warm sunny day it will dry almost immediately. Hose it off, or just use a wet rag. Since this paint is made with natural ingredients it will not harm your plants, grass, or any of your outdoor drains. Happy painting!

Homemade Gak

Get slimey using a few simple household ingredients!

Materials:
1 cup all-purpose white glue
3/4 cup water
food coloring or 1 tablespoon tempera paint (your choice of color)
Borax detergent
wire whisk

Procedure:
Mix together the all-purpose glue, water, and food coloring/tempera paint. Mix separately 1/3 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon Borax. Slowly pour Borax mix into glue mix. Let stand a few minutes, then knead. Pour off any remaining liquid. Store in plastic bags. Repeat for different colors.

Helpful Hints:
As with all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting with kids. Avoid contact with hair or clothing, especially with small children. If the Gak happens to get caught in either substance, try using vegetable oil to break down the Gak.