RECIPES FOR PLAY
PLAYDOUGH
2 c. water food coloring
2 T. vegetable oil extracts – peppermint, cherry, orange, etc.
1 c. salt 2 c. flour
4 tsp. cream of tarter
In large microwave bowl bring water to a boil. Add oil, salt and cream of tarter; mix well. Add food coloring – more
or less drops depending on color desired. Extracts (peppermint, cherry, orange, etc.) can also be added at this
time. Stir in flour; mix and knead until well blended. Store in plastic bag or container.
SILLY PUTTY - “GLURCH”
Liquid Starch Liquid white glue
Mix equal parts of glue and starch together. Mix by hand for 10 minutes. Let stand and pour off extra starch.
Store in covered container in refrigerator.
FINGER PAINTS
Use freezer wrap or shelf paper, or fingerpaint in a large tray.
Mix together Ivory Snow and water. Beat well with mixer or by hand. Add tempera paint or food coloring. This
makes a very clean fingerpaint.
Simple & Quick fingerpaints: Chocolate syrup
Add food coloring to the following:
Shaving cream
Instant pudding
Whipped topping
Light Karo syrup
SLIME/FLUBBER
Bowl 1 2 cups water
4 T Borax laundry booster
Dissolve Borax in water with fingertips. Add food coloring to this bowl.
Bowl 2 2 cups water
1 cup glue
After it’s completely dissolved, pour the Borax mixture slowly and a little at a time into the glue and water mixture.
Pour a little, mix it a little, pour a little, mix a little. Mix with your hands or a sturdy wooden spoon. As you mix, it
will become a flubber ball! Note: You might NOT need to use all of this Borax and water solution. Store it in an
airtight container or Ziploc bag for a few weeks. When it begins to flick apart or when it gets too hard, it is time to
make a new batch. Play with it, explore it, try to get it to blow a bubble with a straw. Watch it stretch as you hold it.
Vinegar takes it out of clothes, carpet and fabric. Mayo will take it out of hair.
“MAGIC MIXTURE”
1 part cornstarch Mix cornstarch and baking soda together. Add water until mixture looks
1 part baking soda like thick gravy. Add food coloring. Use in a tray or bowl—it is solid, but
food coloring melts when you try to hold it.
water
HOMEMADE PAINTS
evaporated milk
food coloring
muffin tin or ice cube tray
paint brushes or Q-tips
paper
Pour small amount of evaporated milk in muffin tin. Add food coloring to get desired colors.
KOOL AID PLAYDOUGH
2 1/2 c. flour 1/2 c. salt
1 T alum 2 pkgs. unsweetened Kool-Aid
Mix ingredients together, then add:
3 T vegetable oil
2 c. boiling water
Knead until well mixed. Add a little cornstarch if it appears too sticky. Store in a covered container.
BUBBLES
3/4 c. liquid soap (Joy or Dawn)
1/4 c. glycerin
2 quarts of water
Place mixture in a large pan and have children dip large bubble makers into the liquid and wave them in the air.
MICROWAVE PLAYDOUGH
1 c. flour 1 c. water
1/2 t salt 1 T baby oil & little more
2 t. cream of tarter Add food coloring
Mix well with wire whisk. Microwave 2 minutes, stir, microwave 1 minute. (May need longer than 1 minute.)
Knead together.
SENSORY TUBS
Fill large tub with any of the following:
rice cornmeal beans corn
cotton balls packing chips water snow
sand confetti cooked spaghetti dirt
sugar shaving cream cream of wheat shredded paper
birdseed shells aquarium rocks
balls oatmeal whipping cream (pressurized is best)
Keep in mind the safety factor and the ages of the children using it. Edibles are best for babies 16 months and
younger.
SHAVING CREAM AND WATER
Fill a clear large container with water. On top of the water put shaving cream. Drip drop primary
colors onto the shaving cream. What happens when you put two primary colors on top??
KNOX GELATIN MOLD
The ratio is 3/4 cup water to 1 packet of Knox. In a sauce pan, heat the water over low heat, add the packets of
gelatin. After it dissolves pour it into a clear container. Let set over night. “”BE SURE TO SPRAY YOUR
CONTAINER WITH PAM FIRST! Allow children to inject the knox mold with eyedroppers filled with colored water.
COFFEE FILTER ART
Drip drop liquid colors onto the big coffee filter. Science and art at the same time!
SHAVING CREAM AND BLOCK BUILDING
Put some small blocks on the table along with some craft sticks and a can of shaving cream. See what happens!
SCRIBBLE COOKIES
Gather all your broken crayons. Put them in a muffin tin. Melt on low heat (150°) for about 15 minutes. Once
melted, turn the oven off and let the crayons cool IN the oven before popping them out and using them. Hint: non-
stick coated tins will work best. Did they stick? Pop them in the freezer for a few minutes. They will pop right out.
