Creative Activities
Playdough Recipe
This super-easy playdough recipe is the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon inside. It's quick enough to hold a young child's attention and you only need a few store cupboard ingredients. Little hands can play with the results straightaway, so there's immediate gratification for all involved!
Makes 1 coloured ball Prep 10 minutes
You will need
· 8 tbsp plain flour
· 2 tbsp table salt
· 60ml warm water
· food colouring
· 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
1. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix together the water, a few drops of food colouring and the oil.
2. Pour the coloured water into the flour mix and bring together with a spoon.
3. Dust a work surface with a little flour and turn out the dough. Knead together for a few minutes to form a smooth, pliable dough. If you want a more intense colour you can work in a few extra drops of food colouring.
4. Store in a plastic sandwich bag (squeeze out the air) in the fridge to keep it fresh. You can make a batch of colours.
Mix 2 cups of cornflour to 1 cup of water into a bowl.
Mix the cornflour and water until your oobleck is formed.
Tip: If you would like to colour your oobleck, add your food colouring to your water and then mix with the cornflour.
Basic Kinetic Sand
This recipe was created specifically to use as a calming activity for children with special needs. If desired, add a teaspoon of any essential oil for soothing purposes (Also makes it smell really nice!)
Materials
· About 10 pounds (5 cups or 4.5 kilograms) of play sand
· 1.2 cups (1 cup plus 3 tablespoons or 130 grams) of cornflour
· 1/2 teaspoon of standard dish washing liquid (washing up liquid is fine)
· 1 cup of water
· 1 large and 1 medium bowls for mixing
· Airtight container for storage
Directions
1. Place sand in a big bowl.
2. Add cornflour to the sand and mix.
3. In a separate medium bowl, mix dish soap with water.
4. Add the soap mixture to the sand and combine thoroughly.
Note: Play sand is available at craft stores. It's better for this project than scooping up sand from the playground or beach. Also sand should be completely dry before staring. You can bake it a 1-inch deep layer at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) for about 30 minutes to ensure total dryness. Then allow to cool completely.
Kinetic Sand Slime
If you want to take things up a notch, try this colorful recipe It's a combination of kinetic sand and slime!
Materials
· 1 cup fine white craft/play sand
· 1 tablespoon cornflour
· 1 tablespoon unscented liquid dish soap
· 1 bottle washable school glue(PVA available at The range, Wilkinsons and B and M)
· Few drops of food colouring and/or flavouring, as desired
· 3 teaspoons contact lens solution (use the type without added moisturizers)
· Medium glass bowl
· Airtight container for storage
Directions
1.Mix sand, cornflour and dish soap in a medium glass bowl until well blended.
2. Stir in glue, desired food colour(s) and extract(s) until well blended and you get the colour and smell you want.
3. Stir in contact solution, 1 teaspoon at a time, until mixture becomes difficult to stir and is no longer sticky. (If necessary, add more contact solution until desired consistency.)
4. Knead in hands until you form a ball that is slightly wet, but does not stick to hands. (Slime is ready to use when you can touch it and pull your fingers away without anything sticking to them.)
Storage: Kinetic sand should always be stored in an airtight container to keep dust and other contaminants out. Although kinetic sand doesn't "dry out" per se, it can change consistency. If this happens, add a few drops of water and mix well. After a while it'll start to stink, so toss it out and make a fresh batch!