DIY modeling clay: try out these 4 recipes to have fun with your kids
Modeling clay is a much-beloved "toy" for kids and playing with it also helps children to develop their imaginations and creative sides - aside from being just great fun to muck around with. And you can also teach your kids how to make DIY modelling clay.
There are different types of modeling clay that can be made at home and all the recipes have easy-to-find ingredients - most of which you probably already have in your pantry.
Below, we suggest 4 quick and easy recipes to make DIY modeling clay with your kids.
1. Plasticine
Tutorial via iheartnaptime.net
For this simple plasticine recipe, simply mix 200 grams of salt, 200 grams of flour and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar in a saucepan, then adding 230 ml of water and 2 tablespoons of oil. If you want to make clay in just one color, you can add some food coloring now, otherwise wait until the dough is divided up into portions. Stir over medium heat until the dough has thickened and can be shaped into a ball. Then, place the ball on some greaseproof paper and leave to cool before continuing to knead until the dough is smooth and homogeneous.
If you wish to create blocks of different colors, divide up the dough and add the food coloring, continuing to knead in order to mix this in well. At this stage, you can place the plasticine inside a plastic bag to avoid staining your hands.
Your plasticine is now ready to use!
2. Corn clay
If you prefer a no-cooking recipe, make some corn clay: mix 150 grams of white flour, 150 grams of corn flour and 250 grams of salt, then add 230 ml of water and food coloring. Continue kneading until a smooth, homogeneous dough forms, and now you're ready to play.
This dough will be less soft than the above plasticine type and will keep for less time due to the absence of cream of tartar. But it is much easier for the kids to make this by themselves, unsupervised.
3. Baking soda modeling clay
To make a modeling clay which is similar to DAS, try this baking soda-based recipe:
- Mix 50 grams of corn starch, 85 grams of baking soda and 200 ml of water in a saucepan;
- Place this mixture on medium heat, continuing to mix for about 4-5 minutes, until a dough ball begins to form;
- Let this cool and then work the dough to eliminate all the lumps; add food coloring and/or essential oil for a pleasant scent;
- Store in the refrigerator to prevent the clay from drying out.
4. Salt dough
Finally, we suggest the recipe for making salt dough, a project you can do with your kids if they want to make decorations or gifts for friends:
- Mix 400 grams of flour with 250 grams of salt, then slowly adding 350 ml of water and 4 tablespoons of oil;
- Mix with a spoon until the dough is perfectly blended, then knead by hand on a pastry board;
- Shape the dough into whatever shapes/forms you want (using cookie cutters is a good idea too), then bake these creations at least 75 degrees C, until the dough hardens.
- Salt dough objects can be painted using acrylic paints, but you can also color the dough during preparation phase using food coloring.
Which recipe will you try?
