Oatmeal Clay

What you will need..

1 cup rolled oats (instant is fine)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra
1/2 cup water
Food coloring

How to do it...

Add food coloring to water to make desired color.  Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl, adding more flour if necessary, until dough forms a lump.  Knead it on a floured surface, adding flour as needed, until it is smooth and not too sticky. 

Let the sculptures begin their creative work.  Allow finished creations to air-dry overnight.

Note: Leftover clay can be refrigerated in a ziplock bag for up to 3 days.

Sunshine Soapy Dough

This can be made in several minutes.  Mix several batches in different colors.

What you will need..

1 Tbl liquid tempera paint
1 Tbl liquid dish soap
1/4 cup table salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water

How to do it...

Place the salt and flour in a bowl and stir it together.  Add the paint, water and dish soap and squeeze the mixture in your hands until everything is incorporated.  If the dough seems too dry, add a little water.  This dough works well with cookie cutters. So provide a variety of cutters as well as a rolling pin for lots of fun.  Seal extra dough in a plastic bag when finished and refrigerate.

Lip Gloss

What you will need...

1 Tbl solid vegetable shortening
1 Tsp honey
1 packet ( 13 to 23 oz or enough to make 2 quarts) unsweetened flavored powdered drink mix such as Kool Aid.
1/4 Tsp hot water

How to do it...

Combine the shortening and honey in a small bowl.  In a second bowl stir together the dink mix and water until the powder is dissolved.  Stir the water mixture a drop  or two at a time into the base mixture, until the gloss is colored and scented to you liking.  To save the lip gloss for another day, refrigerate it in an empty lip gloss pot or other clean container for up to 3 days.

Scratch and Sniff Watercolors

What you will need..

1 tbs unsweetened powdered drink mix (several different flavors/colors are needed).
1 tbs warm water
Several small containers (muffin tins work well).

How to do it...

Mix water and unsweetened drink mix together in a small bowl.  Repeat this step several times, using various flavors of drink mix to create different colors of paint.

Use paint to create a masterpiece.  Allow finished works to dry overnight before scratching and sniffing.

Edible Dough

What you will need..

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey
2 1/3 cups powdered milk
large bowl

The texture of the dough is improved if you place the powdered milk in a blender and blend it to a fine powder.

Place all ingredients in the bowl and squeeze together with hands until thoroughly mixed.  If dough is too sticky add a little more powdered milk.  if it is too dry add more peanut butter.  Have the kids make and eat their art work.