by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: March 08, 2007   Last Updated: March 04, 2012

Children of all ages love to work with play clay! Something soothing happens, when they shape and mold the soft dough, particularly while it is still warm. Here are several traditional (cooked) and no-cook recipes.

No-Cook Methods:

1) Simple Salt Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon alum
• 2 tablespoons water

• Powdered tempera paint

In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Add more or less water to achieve desired consistency.

2) Cornstarch Clay

Ingredients:

• 1 cups flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup warm water
• Powdered/unsweetened kool-aid

Stir all items together in large bowl. Blend well.

3) Soap Flakes Surprise

Ingredients:

• 4 cups flour
• 2 cups salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/8 cup ivory soap flakes
• 2 cups water
• 1/8 cup alum
• Food coloring

Mix all ingredients in big bowl. Knead well with hands.

Traditional

1) Stovetop Method

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• Food coloring
• Cup salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients in saucepan over medium heat. Stir and heat until dough forms in pan. Remove and knead on cookie sheet or cutting board. (Dough may stain countertops.)

For all recipes:

Multiple colors may be made by separating dough into zippered plastic bags before adding paints, food coloring, or kool-aid to recipe. (Children enjoy mixing the colors inside the sealed bags.)

Store (refrigerated) in zippered plastic bag or sealed plastic container.

Happy sculpting!

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