Toilet Paper Tubes
Duct Tape
Waxed Paper
3/4 cup warm water
1-1/2 cups plaster of Paris
2 or 3 tablespoon powdered tempera paint
1. To make the mold, cover one end of the paper tube with duct tape. Loosely roll up a piece of waxed paper and slip into the tube (The lining will keep the plaster from sticking).
2. Pour warm water into a dispoable plastic container. Sprinkle in the plaster of Paries a little at a time until the powder no longer dissolves (about twice as much plaster as water). Stir thoroughly with a disposable spoon, then mix in tempera paint. For pastel shades, combine white tempera with primary hues. Rince any materials with plaster under an outdoor faucet to avoid clogging drains.
3. Place the mold sealed end down on a level surface and pour in the plaster. Lightly tap the sides to release air bubbles. Let the chalk hardned for a couple of days, then remove the tape and slide the stick out of the mold.
NOTES: The mess factor is pretty high on this project, but kids will think it's cool when the goop hardens into chalh. When first drying, prop the molds in a bowl; otherwise, colored water may leak out on your counters.
2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 teaspoons food coloring
With a spoon, mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium cooking pot. Stir in water, food coloring (or knead in different colors later) and oil. Mix well. cook over medium hear; stir constantly for three to five minutes. The dough is ready when it starts to come away from the sides of the pan and forms a big ball that's hard to stir. Turn the ball onto the counter top or a cutting board sprinkled with flour. When cool, knead until dough is smooth. Store in covered plastic containers or sealed plastic bags for a few days. If dough dries out, add a few drops of oil or water and knead well.
NOTES: If you don't want a big batch of the same color, separate the cooked dough into smaller balls and knead in different colors. Be warned that part can be messy. This is a good dough for playing rather than drying for figures.
2 cups Ivory Snow Soap
1/4 cups warm water
Food Coloring
Mix soap and water and stir out all the lumps. Add plenty of food coloring and spoon mixture into the muffin tin to dry. The crayons take one to two days to dry; pop them from the tin when they are firm to the touch. The soap washes off all surfaces with a wet washcloth.
NOTES: This makes three crayons with the muffin tins three-quarters full. Don't bother making yellow; it's too light to show up when coloring. Slide a knife around the edges of the crayons to help them come out.
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
2/3 cups warm water
Food coloring or poster paints
Clear nail polish
1. Mix baking soda and cornstarch in a saucepan; add water and stir until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir constantly and cook until mixtures looks like mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and pour onto mixing board to cool. Knead cooled dough; store in plastic bags or airtight containers for a few days.
2. For color, knead food coloring into dough or leave it plain and painted finished, hardened objects with paint. When pieces are completely dry, brush with clear nail polish.
NOTES: This makes a nice, smooth clay. It hardens quickly, so work with small pieces at a time.
