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Mix It Up!

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blowing-bubbles-13754173928z0Sometimes new materials will get your creative juices flowing.

Try these recipes and use them for play/invention.

 

BUBBLE SOAP

Supplies:

  • quart container
  • spoon
  • 8 tablespoons of liquid detergent (Joy or Dawn work well.)
  • 1 quart water
  • small amount of glycerin (Ask the pharmacist.)

Directions:

  • Mix detergent, water and glycerin in a quart container
  • Add food coloring if desired.

Activities:

  • Use straws as blowers. See how big a bubble you can blow. See how many bubbles you can blow.
  • Try to bounce or catch bubbles.
  • Experiment with different kinds and sizes of bubble makers: spools, wire or plastic hoops, paper cups with a hole in the bottom, string, wire coat hangers, mesh, etc.
  • Put the bubble solution in a large, flat container (like a children’s play pool). Use string or a hula hoop to make bubbles. Can you get inside a bubble?

SOAP CRAYONS

Supplies:

  • measuring cup
  • spoon
  • 1/8 cup water
  • 7/8 cup (Ivory) soap flakes
  • food coloring
  • old ice tray or plastic egg carton

Directions:

  • Mix flakes and water until all the big lumps are gone.
  • Add food coloring and mix until color is evenly distributed. (You can separate parts of the mixture first to mix with different colors.)
  • Press mixture into ice tray or egg carton.
  • Dry for 1 or 2 days.
  • Use on surfaces that can be cleaned easily with water.

Activities:

  • Use as face or body paint.
  • Use in the tub or shower on the walls.
  • Use on the sidewalk.

kneading-cookie-dough

BAKER’S CLAY

Supplies:

  • 1 cup salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water

Directions:

  • Mix ingredients well.
  • Knead for 5 minutes or until clay is smooth and work-able.
  • Make shapes or designs. Use cookie cutters, plastic tableware, toothpicks, metal utensils, etc. (Make a hole in pieces you wish to hang or wear.)
  • Bake at 300° until very hard.
  • Paint with acrylics or color with markers.
  • Spray with acrylic spray to preserve.

Activities:

  • Shape into stars or hearts. Attach ribbon to make an “award” for someone.
  • Make necklaces or other jewelry.
  • Make pins or buttons. (Tape a safety pin to the back to create a pin.)
  • Shape and then paint like your family members. Mount on heavy cardboard to make a family portrait.

PASTE

(Adult assistance needed.)

Supplies:

  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup flour
  • screwtop container
  • cotton swabs

Directions:

  • Place flour in a saucepan and slowly add very hot water as you stir until mixture is smooth.
  • Simmer a few minutes.
  • Cool and store in the screwtop container.
  • Use cotton swab to apply.

Activities:

  • Use as glue for collages.
  • Use to glue items in a scrapbook.
  • Use to construct wooden objects with wooden sticks or balsa wood.