Paint, Paste, Playdough and Mess
1 Paint
1.1 Stone Bugs
Paint bottom half of a smooth stone black and leave to dry. Paint top half of stone with colours and leave to dry. Stick on eyes.
2 Paste
2.1 Fish Pictures
Cut fish from coloured felt or card. Stick to pale blue paper. Decorate with pieces of lace or paper doilies, and sequins.
2.2 Papier Mache
Tear newspaper into strips and soak in wallpaper paste, without chemicals or fungicide in it, until completely wet. Layer strips over selected base, such as a balloon or cardboard box. Make 3 or 4 layers depending on the strength required of the finished item. It will take 3 or 4 days to dry before it can be painted or varnished.
Alternative method is to make a pulp. Tear newspaper into pieces and soak in wallpaper paste. Beat until paper is pulped. Drain off any excess paste to leave a thick, not watery, mixture which can be moulded on to a base. This will take a week to dry before being painted.
3 Playdough
3.1 Cooked Playdough
- 3 cups flour
- 1 and 1/2 cups salt
- 6 tsp cream of tartar
- 3 cups water
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
- food colouring optional
Mix all ingredients in large saucepan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture leaves the sides of the saucepan and forms a ball. Turn out and knead. Dough will keep indefinitely if stored in airtight container in fridge.
Playdough may be cooked in microwave on 100% for 2 minutes, then stir. Microwave a further 1 minute and stir. Another 30 seconds or so may be necessary. Then knead.
The same recipe may be used without cooking it, but use boiling water instead of cold water to mix it.
3.2 Salt Ceramic Playdough
- 3/4 cup cornflour
- 1 and 1/2 cups salt
- 1 cup water
- food colouring optional
Mix all together in saucepan and cook over low heat stirring frequently until it becomes solid. Turn out and knead immediately. Form into shapes required and leave 2 days to harden. Make any holes needed for hanging up, before dough hardens. Once hardened it can be painted and decorated.
4 Messy Stuff
4.1 Sand Volcanoes
Build a mountain shape in a sandpit and hollow out top to sit an empty yoghurt pot in it. Half fill pot with vinegar. Sprinkle in 2 Tbsp baking soda and watch the eruption. For coloured lava add powder paint or food colouring to the vinegar.
4.2 Slime
- 1 cup soap flakes
- 4 cups hot water
- food colouring optional
Dissolve soap flakes in very hot water adding colour if required, green is good, and leave to stand at least an hour. Beat liquid till frothy. This is very slimey to the touch and keeps well in a jar.
4.3 Finger Paint
- 2 cups cornflour
- 1 cup cold water
- 4 to 5 cups very hot water
- 1/4 cup soapflakes optional
- food colouring optional
Mix cornflour and cold water in bowl. Heat other water in saucepan till very hot. Take off the heat and stir in cornflour mixture. Return to the heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and is smooth. Add soap flakes and colour if desired, or pour into 4 cups and colour each differently. More water may be added if mixture is too thick. Use fingerpaint on a washable table, or plastic cloth. Have soapy water and towels handy.
4.4 Soap Crayons
- 1 cup soap flakes
- 2 Tbsp hot water
- food colouring, paint or dye
Mix ingredients together to form a thick paste. This takes time. Press mixture into moulds such as ice cube trays, or form into small 'sausages'. Leave to set 2 days. Use the crayons in the bath.
4.5 Bubbles
Dissolve 1 Tbsp sugar in 3 Tbsp boiling water and add 9 Tbsp liquid detergent. Store 3 days before using to 'cure' mixture. Use wire or twisty ties bent into a loop shape to blow bubbles through. Bubbles float better on a cloudy day rather than a hot, sunny day.
4.6 Bird Pudding
Mix bird seed, dried fruit, rolled oats or wheat into about 250g dripping which has been softened. Press into empty yoghurt containers or cups. Leave in fridge to set. Remove from cups by running hot water quickly over outside of cup and scooping out fat with a knife. Transfer fat to a mesh bag or other container which can be hung up out of reach of cats.