School's Out For The Summer: Kids Craft Recipes

The kids have been off of school for almost two weeks now. I have managed to keep them pretty occupied, but I can tell that they are starting to climb the walls. Before school let out for the summer I went to our local dollar store and stocked up on paper, colored pencils and tape so they could draw to their hearts content but I think that is starting to get a little old by now.

I decided that this week I was going to make a bunch of things for the kids to play with to keep them occupied. So I pulled out some of my old recipes and did some web browsing for things I could make for the kids to play with. I'll share what I have so far with you:

Playdoh: (The vanilla makes this smell really yummy!)

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 T oil
• 1 T powdered alum
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 T vanilla
• food coloring

Instructions:
Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading.

Dough For Babies: (makes really great fun at the highchair)

• 1 C. Flour
• 2. C. Oatmeal
• 1 C. Water
  

Instructions:
Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Kneed until mixed (this dough is sticky, but unique in texture.) Model as with clay.

Gludge:
This is great for older kids AND young adults. I love the texture of this but be careful to give to "responsible" kids because it does stick to clothing but does wash out easily.

• 1 cup room temperature water
• 1 cup white school glue
• Food coloring
• 1 1/3 cups warm water
• 4 tablespoons Borax laundry booster

Instructions:
Mix together room temperature water, glue, and food coloring in a medium bowl. Set aside. In another bowl, mix together warm water and Borax until completely dissolved.

Next, slowly pour the glue mix into the second bowl with the Borax solution, but do not mix them together.

Roll the glue mix around in the Borax solution (around 4 or 5 times). Then lift the glue mix out of the Borax solution. Knead for 2-3 minutes.

Store the slime (the glue mix) in an airtight container or plastic storage bag.


Homemade Bubbles:

• 1/2 cup dish soap
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions:
Mix all 3 ingredients together. Don't stir or shake too much! Store in a sealed container. Experiment with blowing bubbles using different items.

I guess we will see how long this keeps them occupied!! I have some more ideas I'll share with you in later posts.