Paper Mache

Easy Paper Mache

You will need:

liquid starch
cold water
newspaper cut into strips

Mix equal parts of starch and cold water
Dip the newspaper strips and apply to form.

Paper Mache Pinata

Mix equal parts of liquid starch and cold water
Dip newspaper and apply to stuffed paper bag, balloon, chicken wire or newspaper for
Make paper bag piñata
Let children glue bits of colored tissue to outside of paper bag you have stuffed with paper and tied at one end
When tissue is dry, empty bag of paper and fill with treats!
A fun addition to a celebration!

Bubbles

The Construction of Bubbles:

The walls of a bubble are constructed like a jelly sandwich. Two soap layers act as the bread and water acts as the jelly. In the bubble the middle layer is sealed inside. Water in a soap bubble slides toward the bottom, but since it’s sealed inside the layers of soap it can’t get out, so it gathers making the water layer thick and heavy at the bottom. The weight of the water stretches the outer layer of soap until the bubble burst. A bubble always breaks at the top where it is stretched do thin. To make bubbles last longer you need to keep the water from sliding down so fast. You make the water molecules sticky by adding sugar, corn syrup, or glycerin to the water. The water won’t feel sticky to you, but it will to the soap!

SUPER GIANT BUBBLE RECIPE

12 CUPS WATER
1 CUP DISH SOAP
1 CUP CORNSTARCH
2 TBLS BAKING POWDER
Place ingredients in a clean bowl or bucket. Stir gently. Do not create bubbles. Let sit for an hour before use

Bubble Mixture

You will need:

¼ cup dishwashing liquid

½ cup water

1 teaspoon sugar

Food coloring optional

Mix ingredients together.

For better stronger bubbles:
9 parts water

2 parts corn syrup, sugar, or glycerin

2 parts liquid dishwashing detergent

Pour ingredients together adding the detergent last

Don’t shake the container or mix your ingredients, but stir the ingredients slowly and mix well. If you give the ingredients time to dissolve and mix, the bubbles work better.

Frozen bubble recipe

125 ml liquid dish soap
125 ml corn syrup
750 ml hot water
Mix and let cool

 

Ice Bubbles

Try this in the middle of winter.
You will need bubble solution and a blower.
Choose a day with no wind that is below 32 degrees and go outside and blow a bubble without releasing it.
Soon you will be able to see ice crystals form
The bubble will freeze completely into a clear bubble of ice.
The colder it is, the faster the bubble freezes.

 

BUBBLE PRINTS

½ cup bubble solution

Small plastic bowl

2 tablespoons tempera paint or food coloring

Strong sturdy paper or mat board

Place the mixture in the bowl. The plastic bowls that have a place to hold a straw work great. Use a straw to blow into the bubble solution and make a heap of bubbles. Lay a piece of paper gently over the bubbles to absorb the paint and make a print of your bubbles. You can do a print of another color over it too.

Clay Play

We all like to make sand castles. Here are two examples and two different recipes for making them . . . maybe for a little beach fairy!

Permanent Sand Castle
Make a small sandcastle using tiny cups and boxes as forms or triple the recipe for a king-size castle.
2 cups of sand
1/3 cup wheat paste powder (from hardware store)
1 cup water
Mix the sand and wheat paste powder with your hands in a large bowl.
Add the water and stir everything up until the consistency of clay. Bring out the cookie cutters, paper cups, cans, and sculpting utensils. Use a piece of wood or cardboard as a base if you are making a sand castle. It may take several days to dry.

Permanent Sand Castle
What you need:
Sawdust — Usually free at your local hardware store or lumber yard
Wallpaper paste powder also at a hardware store, but not free
Water
Sand castle molds, cans, and paper cups
Forks, knives and spoons for sculpting and molding

Mix 2 cups of saw dust and 1 cup of wallpaper paste powder with your hands in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of water and stir until it’s all mixed together. Pack the mixture into your mold and carefully take it out. When you’re done, let it dry in a sunny place for a few days. If you really want it to look like a sand castle, you can decorate it with sea shells or paper flags.

NATURAL CLAY

When I first introduce young chuildren to clay I give them a small piece and see if they can roll it between the palms to form a ball. A real exercise for young children. It is a little easier for them to roll it with one hand into a snake and maybe make a coil pot. Sometimes we make pinch pots (seed pots) by punching thumb into the middle of the clay ball and pinching up the sides. It’s good to let them play with natural clay and see what they discover! I like to get them talking about different ttypes of soil, where you find it, and how we use it. They can learn that if it dries out, they can put it in a little water and it will get soft gain. If they wrap their piece in a damp cloth it will stay soft. It’s a good opportunity to discuss absorption and evaporation too!

Young children especially love to play with clay. It isn’t as messy as the colored clay you buy and comes off and washes out easily. Plus it’s all natural and if you know where to dig it – it’s free. Sometimes lake dams are made using clay and you can dig up some that has washed beyond the dam. It is different colors and I have dug gray, red, and white clay.

I make up small balls of clay about an inch across and give one to each child. They flatten it with the palm of their hand and with a little pressure make a print of small seashells or animal tracks. They can remove the seashell or other item from the clay with a toothpick and use it to punch a hole through the top to hang it and put their initials on the back. They can use the toothpick to decorate it as well with a border. Then it must be fired in a kiln which is very inexpensive. If you want, they can paint them after they are fired.

Animal track reproductions were used for those in the picture. You can order them from Nature Watch. Individual tracks run $9.95 each or a set of 16 different tracks for $149.20 – # 205z www.nature-watch.com

Seed Prints – They are fun to make and allow kids to examine different kinds of seeds. Give students a piece of clay and ask them to roll it into a ball. This can be difficult for young children, but good exercise. They flatten it with the palm of the hand and carefully push the seed into the clay. Use toothpicks to lift the seed out. If given a larger piece of clay, kids can print one large seed in the center (peach) and print a border with smaller seeds. Sand clay is easier and cheaper and it doesn’t need to be fired. Real clay comes out more detailed and after fired, kids can paint them. Punch a small angled hole in the back for hanging on a nail or a hole through the top to hang from a string.

Homemade Modeling Clay – Mix half a cup of PVA glue (white glue) with 1 cup of cornstarch, to make this clay. It’s soft, light, malleable, not sticky and easy to shape and mould. It’s white and easy to paint after dried, or you can add food coloring to the glue. Put it in the oven at 100ºc for about an hour to harden or leave it out and it will harden over night.

Bicarb Clay

400g bicarb soda
100g corn flour
250ml water
1 Tbs vegetable oil

Combine ingredients in a pot and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly.
The liquid will start to thicken into a paste, keep stirring. When dough resembles thick mashed potatoes remove from heat and let cool slightly. Remove the dough from the pot and knead. It will be silky, smooth and clay-like.

To make a pinch pot shape the clay into a small round ball. Poke a hole in the top of the ball about halfway through. Begin to work that hole and stretch it so that it becomes wider, pinching with your thumbs and forefingers. Shape the bowl into your desired depth and size. Bake in the oven for about 20-30 minutes at a low temperature (approx. 120˚C) until hard all the way through. Paint as desired.

Sand Clay

2 cups fine sifted sand
1 cup water

1 cup cornstarch

Saucepan and spoon

Mix sand, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan
For color add a few drops of food coloring or natural dye
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly
When mixture thickens, remove from heat
Carefully pour into a dish and let cool
Drape a wet towel over the clay to cool more quickly
Sculpt into what you choose or make interesting prints by pressing things into the clay
To make stronger clay, mix about 1/8 cup of Elmer’s glue to the mixture before cooking

Sand Clay Prints

Fun to do and if you add a little elmers glue they get very hard
After made you can roll it into small balls that can be pressed down with the palm into a fat little biscuits
Press the seed or shell into the center
Have toothpicks on hand to remove the object printed from the sand clay
The toothpick can be used to add a border around them
Poke their name or initials on the back with the tooth pick
Put a hole in the back to hang on a nail or punch a hole through it to hang as ornament
You can print seeds, sea shells, or footprints

SAND DRAWING

SAND PAINTING

You can get at least 3 colors, maybe four colors of sand from a landscape company. Take a few gallon bags and they will usually give you the sand you need. The very small hand sifters are great for this or they can use their hands to sprinkle the sand.

Use white tag board and lay down one glue line at a time. Sift one color of sand over it.

Empty the board of sand and do the next line or lines of a different color.

It’s nice to use the natural colors of sand and it is a good time to discuss soil, colors of sand (black, white, grey, golden, orange and pink), where you find sand, and how is it made!

If you can’t find sand, you may make salt pictures. Tint salt by adding a few drops of food coloring to a jar and shaking. Then spread and allow to dry.

You can frame the pictures with tiny shells, seeds or pebbles.

Trace hand in clay, decorate and shape!

Play Dough

Sand Playdough

4 cups clean sand
3 cups flour
1 cup water
1/4 cup oil

Combine ingredients together in a bowl. Knead it until it forms a ball. Add more water if it is too dry or more flour if it is too wet

Mini Playdough Recipe
Children can make individual batches of dough. They love mixing up their own.

1 tablespoon clean sand
4 tablespoons plain flour
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Additional sand to roll playdough through for added texture
Alternatively you could make up your regular playdough recipe, a little wetter than usual, and provide the children with containers of sand to roll and mix the playdough through!

How to Make Black Playdough

Mix together the following ingredients in a pan over medium heat:

1 cup flour
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup black liquid watercolor
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2. Once the dough forms a ball, pour it onto a piece of wax paper or other safe surface. When it’s cool enough, knead the dough until smooth. Optional: Knead black glitter into your dough!

Play Dough

This play dough does not need refrigeration and keeps several months in a covered container.
It is not a good modeling compound, but most responsive to, rolling, poking and pounding!

2 cups flour 1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar 2 cups water(approx.)
¼ cup cooking oil food coloring optional

Measure flour, salt, cream of tartar into mixing bowl.
Add the oil to one cup of the water and pour into the dry ingredients.
You may add coloring to other cup water now and add to mixture.
Mix till smooth and color even.
Cook in a pan on low(250) for about 4 minutes stirring till texture becomes rubbery.
Remove to floured surface and knead a few minutes.
Ready to go!

Salt Dough

Make little easter eggs, snowflakes, or star ornaments!

Mix 2 cups flour and 1-cup salt.
Slowly add 1-cup water and mix well.
Knead on floured surface for 5 minutes.
You can add iridescent glitter if you like.
Punch hole for ribbon to hang or insert an open paper clip.
Seal the dry ornaments with a coat of clear varnish.

Snow Dough

Make a batch of white play dough and add iridescent glitter!

Glitter Play Dough

You need:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 cups water
3-4 tablespoons of oil
icing food coloring
glitter

Mix dry ingredients together (excepy glitter) in a big pan.
Add water, oil and food coloring and wisk till lumps are out and color is mixed
Place mixture over medium heat and stir until it thickens and gathers into a big ball
When cooled knead in the glitter.

Superior to store bought play dough and will keep for several weeks in plastic bag.
No need to refrigerate.

Gingerbread Play Dough

¼ cup all purpose flour ½ cup salt
1 ½ teaspoons powdered alum 1 ½ teaspoons vegetable oil
½ cup boiling water brown food coloring paste (Wilton Icing Colors)
1 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

Combine flour, salt, and alum.
Add the oil and boiling water and blend.
Add spice and coloring and knead. Store in airtight container.
You can add a couple of rolling pins and gingerbread people cutters for fun.
If you want ornaments let them punch a hole at top with a straw and let dry overnight and turn over and let dry 2 more days.
Add yarn and hang!

Silly Slime

Silly Slime

You will need:
1 quart of water
1/4 cup borax( in laundry detergent area)
2 large jars with lids
1 cup elmer’s glue
1 cup of water
food coloring and paper cups. Put 1 quart of water and borax in one of the jars w/lid and dissolve.
Put the glue, cup of water, and food coloring in the other jar and mix.

To make slime put 2 tablespoons of borax solution in a cup or snack bag and 1 to 3 tbl. mix.
Add 6 Tbl. of glue solution(use 1 tbl borax and 3 of glue if a snack bag.)
Mix in cup or knead in baggie.
If you want to make more at one time use a 1/3 cup borax solution to 1 cup glue solution.

This substance has the scientific property of an elastic viscous material. The earth is somewhat like this material because it can be moved slowly as in glacial movement or continental drift it is like a liquid and when it moves quickly as in an earthquake.

SPACE SLIME SUPPLIES 

  • 1/2 cup of Elmer’s Washable Non Toxic Clear Glue or Elmer’s White Glue
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Cup of Hot Water
  • Contact Solution
  • Measuring Cup
  • 2 bowls and a spoon
  • Black Food Coloring
  • Glitter, Glitter, and more Glitter!

Add hot water to a small bowl and stir in 1 tsp of baking soda. Stir until completely dissolved. In a separate bowl pour 1/2 cup clear or white Elmer’s Glue. Add the water/baking soda mixture to the glue and stir well.

Add black food coloring and glitter! Use Elmer’s Clear School Glue or Elmer’s White glue. When you add color to white glue, the color is lighter. Use clear glue for jewel toned colors!

Stir in contact solution, a little at a time until the mixture starts to clump. Add more solution until it is not sticky. Once it starts completely sticking, switch to mixing with your hands a few minutes until you feel the most of the liquid incorporated into the slime.

After using your hands a few minutes the slime won’t be sticky or stringy. Slime can be played but consistency changes a bit over next 30 mins to a smoother looking substance. If consistency isn’t changing, add more contact solution if too sticky and more glue if too gloppy. Store in a clean dry container or zipper bag.

Fluffy Pumpkin Slime Recipe For Kids

  • ½ Cup Elmer’s White Glue
  • Unscented Shaving Cream
  • Orange Food Coloring
  • Mason Jar
  • Black Construction Paper
  • Scissors
  • Saline Solution
  • Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
  • Pumpkin Scented Oil optional

Results will vary if you substitute ingredients, and slime might not form at all. Of importance is the use of Elmer’s White Glue for quality, stretchy slime!

1.Add 1/2 cup of Elmer’s white school glue and 4 cups of shaving cream to a bowl. Mix well and then add in a few drops of your orange food coloring. Stir to mix in the color. Optional: You can add in a few drops of pumpkin scented oil after you mix in the food coloring.

2. Next stir in 1/4 tsp of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Then add contact solution about 1 Tablespoon at a time and mix.

3. Keep adding a little more contact solution and mixing until your slime begins forming into a ball-like form as you mix. You’ll notice this is when it starts to turn into slime and becomes less sticky. It will begin coming off the sides of your container and sticking together.

If your slime is still sticky add some more saline solution by starting small and adding a little as you go and continue to knead it. The slime will take on a fluffy marshmallowy consistency that is so addicting to play with!

When you’re finished you’ll want to store your slime in an air tight container. Or have the kids create their own jack-o-lantern jars by cutting out the faces from black construction paper and using some Elmer’s glue to glue their faces to the mason jars. This can be a super fun family activity, and perfect for a Halloween Party!

Paint Recipes

Egg Tempera Paint
You will need one egg for each child and a cup for each yolk and a bowl for the egg whites.

Food coloring or tempera paint

Small mat boards and Paintbrushes

Have each child crack an egg and separate the yolk from the white, placing the yolk into a small paint cup with tempera paint and mix. Ready – set – paint! If paint thickens, add a few drops of water. The kids can share colors. It makes bright shiny pictures.

Salt Paint Frosting

Mix 2 teaspoons of salt with 1 teaspoon of liquid starch.
The salt gives it a frosted appearance.
Paint over picture to add snowy appearance.
You can add color if you wish.
Shiny Paint

Mix 1 part liquid glue and 1 part tempera paint and paint!
It will retain a wet look after it dries.

Spangled Salt Paint

This paint has a beautiful texture and adds sparkle. Great for an underwater fish scene!

1 tsp. liquid starch

1 tsp. water

½ tsp. liquid tempera paint

2 tsp. table salt

Mix the starch, water, and paint together in a saucer. Stir in the salt and get out the brushes!

Magic Crystals

You will need:

2 cups water,
2 cups Epsom salts
Food coloring.

Stir and bring water and epsom salts to a boil . You may color it or leave it clear. It will dry to make clear or colored crystals You can use it to make a picture glisten with snow.

Extra Bright Tempera Paint

2 cups dry tempera paint

1 cup liquid soap (clear or white works best)

1 cup liquid starch

Color Match

Sidewalk Paint

This paint is non-toxic and biodegradable. You will need:

1 cup water
1 cup powdered nonfat milk
1/4 teaspoon icing or regular food coloring
paint brushes and sponges

Mix ingredients and go to work painting. This can be washed away with a hose.

Raindrop Painting

A lot of fun to do on a rainy day!
Talk about water and the water cycle
It’s a teachable moment!
Have children paint a solid color od tempera paint all over a piece of paper( a darker color shows better drops)
when dry, go outside for a few seconds and let the raindrops make their picture!
It only takes a second to collect a few raindrops!

Cheap and easy paint

Mix 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of water and food coloring in a condiment bottle to create cheap and easy paint.

Painted Snakes – Curly willow branches are great for this. Have posters, models or pictures of snakes. Kids paint the curly willow branches with tempera paint and glue a red felt split tongue at the mouth.

Paint a tablecloth!

Bottle Cap Animals

A little glue shaving cream paint for puffy snow.

KETSUP BOTTLES MAKE GREAT DISPENSERS FOR PAINT TOO!

Cover a balloon with paint and then pop it!