Moon Flour

This recipe produces something very similar to commercially available Moon Sand, but is softer, less expensive and easier to clean up.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• ¼ cup mineral oil

Directions:

Stir the mineral oil into the flour until it is evenly distributed and fully absorbed. The resulting product should hold together loosely when compacted like wet sand. Add additional mineral oil if needed to achieve desired result. Place in a shallow tray.

Children can use hands, measuring spoons, plastic or paper cups and/or silicon molds to create shape and “sand” castles.

Slime (AKA Silly Putty, Flubber)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs borax powder in
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup Elmer’s glue mixed with
• A few drops of food coloring or paint

Directions:

In one container mix borax with water.  In separate container mix glue with water and stir well.  Add paint of food coloring to this container.  Add the Borax mixture to the glue mixture, stirring constantly.  As the glue begins to clump, lift it from the water and kneed in your hand until smooth.

Children will find all kinds of silly and gross ways to use this.  Keep off upholstery and carpets.  Great outside or on tile or linoleum.  Store in ziplock baggie.

Note:  Do not use this with children who need to put things in their mouths.

Kool-aid Play Dough

This play dough is colorful and has a wonderful fragrance too. The kids just love it!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup salt
• 2½ cups flour
• 2 packages Kool-Aid
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups boiling water

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil. Add water and knead.

Store in plastic bags in the refrigerator.

Girl Scout Peanut Butter Play Dough

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• ½ cup honey
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, using your hands. Dough should feel soft and pliable. Form shapes and be creative!!

When not using, MUST be stored in an airtight container.

This recipe is great to make with children and lends itself to lots of variation by adding other powdered or sticky materials.

Shaving Cream Boats

Ingredients:

• 1 tub of water, any size from dish pan on up
• 1 can shaving cream
• leaves and feathers (optional)

Directions:

Squirt shaving cream onto the water to for ‘boats.’  Blow gently to send boats back and forth between you and your child.  Add feathers or leaves for sails.  Be open to whatever creative variations your child comes up with.  Shaving cream is just soap, so clean up is easy.  A great bathtub activity.

Palm Sundaes

Ingredients:

• 1 can whipped cream
• small candies, nuts or cherries
• candy sprinkles (for cake or cookie decorating)

Directions:

Squirt whipped cream onto palm of child’s hand.  Offer toppings.  When creation is complete have child eat right off his hand!  Have child make one for you too.  For more bonding eat off each other’s hands.  A sweet sticky mess.  Leave time to clean up with warm soaping water.

Note: whipped cream is also great squirted directly into the mouth.  Less messy and almost as much fun.