Make Your Own Modeling Clay

By Diane

Children get bored easily – they bounce from one activity to the next always looking for something else to do. A lot of children's toys nowadays require electricity or batteries in order to operate. From TVs and video games to remote control cars and dolls that talk, it seems like there is a never ending production of noise in the house! Finding activities for your children that don’t require energy is a great way to go green!

Homemade modeling clay is easy to make and you can rest assured that the ingredients are safe. By making your own arts and craft supplies you are reducing the fossil fuels needed for transportation since the farthest you have to travel is across the kitchen to your pantry. You are also reducing the amount of packaging you bring home as well.

Here is a simple recipe for making homemade modeling clay. It works best with a stand mixer of some sort but a plain old bowl and spoon with a little hand kneading will work too!

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup water (add a little more if needed for desired consistency)
Several drops of food coloring (for deeper color, use a concentrated icing paste found at most arts and crafts stores)

Directions:

1. Mix flour with salt.

2. Add water and desired food coloring.

3. Start mixing slowly. When the ingredients are moist and well-blended place onto a cutting board or counter and begin kneading the mixture with your hands (or just mix on medium high in your mixer). Continue until the texture is firm and clay-like.

4. Place clay into an airtight container.

5. Repeat for however many different colors you want to make.

Give your child a selection of cookie cutters, plastic forks and knives, straws and other household items to create shapes and decorations with. If you want your creations to dry, leave them out on a paper plate overnight. You can place a damp paper towel or sponge in the storage container to help keep it moist. Protect your table and counter surfaces by laying down wax paper and taping it down with some masking tape! Make sure to keep it in an airtight container like a Ziploc® Brand bag.

What is your child’s favorite unpowered activity?