Sometimes 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.
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.