Kids Activities

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Arts & Crafts

*** Playdough ***

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup salt
1 1/2 - 2 cups boiling water
3 - 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring

Add oil and food coloring to boiling water. Combine remaining ingredients, and mix well.As you knead it, the dough will get smoother. Store in airtight container. Very pliable and easy to roll or sculpt.

*** Edible Peanut Butter Playdough ***

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 cup powdered milk

Knead until smooth.

*** Kool-Aid Enhanced Playdough ***

Try a variety of Kool Aid flavors and colors. Also, we suggest adding little alum to the dry ingredients to preserve the playdough for a longer time.

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups boiling water
3 - 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Kool Aid

Add one package of Kool Aid mix, oil and food coloring to boiling water. Combine remaining ingredients, and mix well. As you knead it, the dough will get smoother. Store in airtight container. Delightfully scented, very pliable and easy to roll or sculpt.

*** Bakeable "Salt Clay"***

Use cookie cutters or mold Salt Clay by hand, then bake in a 300° oven for use in creating refrigerator magnets, jewelry, ornaments, keychains, necklaces, and more.

Stir together:

2 cups plain flour
1 cup salt
1 to 1-1/2 cups cold water
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Knead well until it forms a soft ball. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil, make the shapes you want, and bake in the oven at 300 degrees or until hard (about one hour).

You can use food coloring to color dough before you bake it, or paint it afterwards. A finishing coat of shellac or clear acrylic will make your salt clay products last longer.

*** Bubbles ***

1 cup water
1/3 cup dish soap (Joy, Sunlight, etc)
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Combine ingredients and enjoy. If you don't have bubble blowers around the house, be creative and try using different objects from your utensil drawer, (e.g., apple corer, potato masher, handle of a basting brush, etc. They work.)

*** Finger Paint ***

1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups water
food coloring

Mix ingredients in saucepan. Boil until mixture thickens. Allow to cool, then pour into jars or other storage containers and color with food coloring. Best used on a glossy paper, such as butcher or shelf paper.

*** Silly Putty ***

1 part Sta-Flo Liquid Starch
1 part Elmer's White Glue*
Food coloring (optional)

Mix glue and starch together until it feels like a putty. If desired, add food coloring and mix thoroughly. When not in use, Silly Putty may be stored in an airtight container.

* Important Note: Be sure to use Elmer's White Glue, NOT Elmer's "Washable" or "School Glue." Otherwise, you'll just get Gak!

*** Oobleck or "Play Slime" ***

Corn starch
Water
Food coloring (optional)

Put cornstarch in bowl. Add enough water to make a paste. If desired, you may also add food coloring. This makes a messy slime that goes from liquid to solid, and is great fun to play with. This recipe (or green playdough) is especially fun to make after reading Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss!

*** Brighter-than-Ever* Rice Collage ***

1 cup rice
Approximately 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol
Food coloring
Paper
Elmer's glue

To color rice, add a few drops of food coloring to alcohol in a jar or ziploc bag. Add rice and shake. Let dry on waxed paper. (Caution: This makes a MESS! Wear an apron and cover work area with newspaper.)

Children put some glue on a piece of paper and sprinkle rice onto it. If you don't have the time or the patience to make colored rice, kids can also make great collages using any number of everyday items. If you have noodles, beans, split peas or other dry goods in your cupboard, you have the makings for a fun and interesting collage.

You can use this recipe for dying any type of pasta noodle as well.

*** Pinecone Bird Feeders ***

Large pinecones
Peanut butter (Birds prefer chunky over smooth!)
Shortening
Cornmeal
Birdseed (optional)
Fishing line, string or yarn

Wrap and tie string to top of pinecone. Mix peanut butter, shortening, (such as bacon fat or melted suet), and cornmeal. Then, spread the mixture onto a large pinecone. Hang your bird feeder in a spot where you can watch the birds eat. Note: If you use smooth instead of chunky peanut butter, you may want to mix in a little bird seed for added interest and enjoyment.

Did you know? Birds have trouble digesting peanut butter! It can also get stuck in their beaks. This is why bird experts recommend the addition of shortening and cornmeal when preparing homemade birdfeeders of this type.

Crunchy Claydough

1 Shredded Wheat biscuit
2 Tbsp.
White Glue
Food Coloring

Crumble shredded wheat biscuit into bowl. Add glue and several drops of food coloring. Mix until shredded wheat is completely coated. (Objects dry hards in 12 hours. This dough does not keep. Use it right away)

Laundry Lint Modeling Dough

1-1/2 cups Laundry Lint
1 cup Warm Water
1/3 cup flour
1 drop cinnamon or clove oil

Place lint and water in saucepan and stir. The lint will absorb most of the water. Add flour, stirring constantly. Add oil and cook over medium heat. When small peaks form, remove from heat. Pour onto heat-proof working surface or molds and cool for 10 minutes. (Projects dry hard in 5 days. This dough does not keep well. Use it all.)

Sand Clay

2 cups sand
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. Alum
1-1/2 cups Water

Mix ingredients in saucepan. Stir constantly while cooking over medium heat. Remove from heat when mixture thickens and becomes hard to stir. Cool 10 - 15 minutes. (Tips-Air dry for several days to produce hard, stone-like sculptures. Store left over clay in air-tight container. For color try adding food coloring or colored sand. To produce lightly colored projects, use fine white sand. Paint with watercolors.)

Sawdust Clay

2/3 cup Sawdust (any wood except redwood)
1/3 cup Flour
1/3 cup Water

Mix sawdust and flour together in bowl. Gradually add water until mixture is stiff, but pliable. Knead for 5 minutes. (Add more flour if dough is sticky. Add water if the dough is too dry. Air dries hard in 24-48 hours. Paint finished projects with tempera or acrylic paints. Can sand projects before painting.)

Cream Cheese Playdough

8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Non-fat Dry Milk
1 Tblsp. Honey
Crackers or Bread Slices

Combine cream cheese, milk & honey in bowl. Mix until well blended. Mold sculptures on wax paper, crackers or bread. Eat! (Store unused portions in an airtight container and refrigerate. Use the expiration date on the package of cream cheese as a guide for storage length. Decorate by pressing dried fruit pieces, nuts or seeds into the dough.)

No Bake Cinnamon Shapes

1 cup ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup Applesauce
1/4 cup White School Glue

Blend cinnamon, glue and applesauce in mixing bowl. Stir until a stiff dough forms. Roll out dough to 1/4" thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Air-dry several days on a wire rack, turning accasionally. (Remind children this dough is not meant to be eaten. To make sweet smelling holiday ornaments, poke a hole at the top of the shape with a drinking straw.)

Glue Dough

1 cup Flour
1 cup Cornstarch
1/2 cup White Glue
1/4 cup Water
Extra Flour (for hands)

In bowl, mix flour, cornstarch & glue. While mixing, slowly add water until dough just begins to form a ball. Flour hands lightly. Knead dough until workable. (Dries hard in 48 hours. Stores in refrigerator. Keeps about 2 weeks.)

Vinegar Dough

3 cups Flour
1 cup Water
1 cup Salt
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
2 Tbsp. Vinegar

Mix all ingredients together in bowl. If dough seems dry, add more water one tsp. at a time. Knead well. (Air drys in 48 hours but retains some moisture. Keeps well unrefrigerated in a plastic bag.)

Finger Painting Goop

1-1/4 cups hot Tap Water
2/3 cups Instant Mashed Potatoes
1 tsp. Powdered Tempera Paint
ø,

In a small bowl, mix instant potatoes into hot tap water. Add powdered tempera; mix well until paint is smooth. (Keeps for 1 week in tightly covered container. For a more slippery mixture, add 1/2 cup Liquid Starch after you have mixed all of the other ingredients together. Encourage children to put paint on different surfaces and types of paper. Try tiles, aluminim foil, old fabric, cellophane wrap, etc.)

Jell-O Fingerpaint

1 pkg. flavored Jell-O
2-3 Tbsp. hot Water

In a small bowl, mix dry gelatin with hot water 1 tsp. at a time until a paste is formed. This will be grainy. By adding more or less water you can make it the consistency you want it to be. (This is great to use when doing a color unit as the children taste, smell, see and feel the colors.)

Shampoo Dough

1 cup Flour
1/4 cup white Glue
1/4 cup Shampoo
Water (for fusing shapes)

Mix 3/4 cup flour, glue and shampoo in bowl. Add remaining 1/3 cup flour. Lightly flour hands and knead dough. Reflour hands whenever dough feels sticky. Shape dough, dipping pieces in water to fuse together. (This one is great to play with on an outside table- hands wash great afterwards and a hose cleans table up!)

Tried & True Bubble Soap

1 gallon Water (use distilled if your water is hard)
1 cup Joy or Dawn liquid dishwashing soap
1/8 cup Glycerin

Fill bucket or container with water. Add liquid soap and glycerin. Stir gently with hand or mixing spoon. Use bubble tools to blow bubbles. (plastic holders from six-packs of pop make great bubble tools!)

Silly Putty

1/2 cup Elmer's glue
1/2 Cup Starch -- liquid
Food Coloring

Do NOT substitute any other glue for Elmer's glue! Slowly add starch to glue and knead with fingers. The more you work with it the better it gels. Add food coloring if you want.

Craft Dough Recipe

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup cold water

Mix together and knead until it makes a medium stiff dough. Add more flour or water if necessary. To color: Add small dabs of paste food coloring and knead in. (For white only add a little white acrylic paint) Store unused portions in plastic bags in the refrigerator. Roll out on waxed papered surface if you want flat pieces. Dabs of water can smooth things and help "glue" two pieces together. Use paper clips or old wire to make hangers or a plastic straw to punch holes in things you will want to hang up. Squeeze some dough through a garlic press to make hair or grass. Bake on cookie sheet at 350° for one to two hours or until it feels hard to the touch. Take off sheet to cool on wire rack. You can protect your creation by dipping it in melted paraffin or coating it with polyurethane.

GAK
by: Byron Grossnickle

Dissolve 1-1/2 tsp Borax in 2/3 cup warm water.

In a separate bowl, add 8 oz. white school glue(i.e. Elmers) and 3/4 cup warm water. Add desired food coloring. Pour Borax solution into bowl and mix with your fingers. Do not use a spoon. Have fun!!!

Gak 2

1 cup white glue
1cup liquid starch
food coloring

Put glue and coloring in plastic container. Add starch a little at a time, stirring constantly.Keep stirring until mixture holds together like putty.Test with your fingers, if too sticky,add more starch in small amounts until mass is smooth and rubbery.

Microwave Play Dough

2 cups Flour
1 cup Salt
1/2 cup Cornstarch
1 Tbsp. Powdered alum

Gradually stir in:

2 cups Water
1 tb Oil

Surprise and entertain kids for hours by making instant play dough in the microwave with common household ingredients.

Combine in bowl. Microwave on High power for 6 minutes, stirring every minute. Cook until you can handle dough, turn onto countertop and knead until smooth. Divide dough in sections, knead in food colorings. Store in air-tight container. Keeps for months.

Modeling Dough

1 cup Flour
1 cup Water
1 Tbsp. Oil
1/2 cup Salt
1 tsp. Cream of tarter
Food coloring

Mix ingredients in a pan. Cook over medium heat until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and becomes doughy in consistency. Knead until cool. Model different colors of clay into any shape you can imagine. Not edible. Can be used over and over again. Keeps three months.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Children's Chocolate Cake Mix

Recipe By : More Make A Mix Cookery, by Eliason, Harward, and Westover
Serving Size : 11 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Stir with a wire whisk until blended. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed and mixture resembles corn meal. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the mixture into each of 11 small containers with tight fitting lids or ziplock bags. Seal containers. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 11 packages of Children's Chocolate Cake Mix for Easybake style oven.

To Use:

1 package cake mix
4 tsp. Water

Mix together and stir with a fork or spoon until blended and smooth. Pour mixture into greased and floured 4 inch round miniature baking pan. Follow directions for child's oven, or bake in mom's preheated 375° oven for 12 to 13 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Invert onto a small plate and remove pan. When cool, frost with Children's Chocolate Frosting. Serves 2 children.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Children's Chocolate Frosting

Recipe By : More Make A Mix Cookery, by Eliason, Harward, and Westover Serving Size : 9 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups icing sugar - sifted
3 tablespoons instant nonfat milk powder
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine icing sugar, milk powder and cocoa powder. (Sift cocoa if lumpy.) With a pastry blender, cut in he shortening. spoon about 1/3 cup of mixture into each of 9 small containers or ziplock bags and seal tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 9 packages of Children's Chocolate Frosting.

To Use:
·

1 pkg. Children's Chocolate Frosting mix
3/4 tsp. Water

In a small bowl, combine frosting mix and water. Stir with a spoon until smooth. Makes about 1/4 cup.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Children's Cookie Mix

Recipe By : More Make A Mix Cookery, by Eliason, Harward, and Westover Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar - packed
1/2 cup vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and brown sugar. Stir to blend. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles corn meal. Spoon about 1/2 cup mixture into each of 8 small containers or ziplock bags. Seal bags tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 8 packages of Children's Cookie Mix. Each package makes 9 cookies.

To Use:
·

Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 package Children's Cookie Mix
2 teaspoons water
1 tablespoon raisins
1 tablespoon mini semi sweet chocolate chips
sugar

Preheat mom's oven to 350°, or follow directions for Easybake oven for baking cookies.

In a small bowl, combine cookie mix, water, raisins and chocolate chips. Stir with a spoon until mixture holds together in one big ball. Shape one teaspoon of dough at a time into a ball. Arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet. Butter bottom of a small drinking glass. Dip buttered glass bottom in sugar. Flatten each ball by pressing with sugar-coated glass. Bake 10 to 12 minutes in mom's oven or as directed in Easybake oven. Remove from oven. Cool on a rack. Each package of mix makes about 9 cookies.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Children's Lemon or White Cake Mix for Children's Oven

Recipe By : More Make A Mix Cookery, by Eliason, Harward, and Westover Serving Size : 10 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon-flavored unsweetened drink powder - like
Kool-Aid
1/3 cup vegetable shortening

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and drink powder. Stir with a wire whisk until blended. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed and mixture resembles corn meal. Spoon about 1/3 cup mixture into each of 10 small containers or ziplock bags. Seal bags tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 10 packages Children's Lemon Cake Mix.

To Use:

1 pkg. Children's Lemon Cake Mix
4 teaspoons water

Preheat mom's oven to 375°. If using an Easybake oven, follow directions for baking cakes.

Grease and flour a 4 inch miniature cake pan. In a small bowl, combine cake mix and water. Stir with a fork or spoon until blended and smooth. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake 12 to 13 minutes in mom's oven or as directed in play oven. Remove from oven. Cool in pan on rack for 5 minutes. Invert cake onto a small plate. Remove pan. When cool, frost with Children's White Frosting if desired. Serves 2 children.

NOTES: Any flavor of Kool-Aid powder can be used for a wide variety of flavors. For a white cake mix, omit the powder. If you like, a drop or two of vanilla may be added at the time the cake is prepared.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Children's White Frosting Mix

Recipe By : More Make A Mix Cookery, by Eliason, Harward, and Westover Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes

In a medium bowl, combine icing sugar and milk powder. Stir with a wire whisk to blend. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening. Spoon about 1/3 cup mixture into each of 8 small containers or ziplock bags. Seal bags tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Makes 8 packages of Children's White Frosting Mix.

To Use:
1 pkg. Children's White Frosting mix
3/4 teaspoon water

In a small bowl, combine mix and water. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and creamy. Makes about 1/4 cup frosting. A drop or two of vanilla may be added if desired.

Toy Oven Biscuits

1/4 cup commercial biscuit mix
4 tsp milk

Combine biscuit mix and milk with a fork. Drop by half-teaspoonsfuls onto a well greased pan. Bake 10 minutes.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Sparkling Frosting

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 2 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Easy Bake Oven Collection Frosting

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 teaspoons Vegetable Shortening
2/3 cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
2 teaspoons Milk
Colored sugar crystals for decoration

In a small bowl, mix together shortening, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until smooth and creamy. Spread 2 tsp. of frosting on top of 1st layer. Add 2nd layer and continue frosting. Sprinkle with colored crystal sugars. Frosts a 2 layer cake.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Thumb Print Cookie Mix

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Easy Bake Oven Collection Cookie Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar
2 tablespoons Margarine
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Water
1/4 cup Flour
Your favorite jelly

Stir together powdered sugar, margarine, vanilla, water and flour until theflour disappears. Roll the dough between your fingers and make 12 small balls, 1/2 inch each. Place a few balls at a time on an ungreased sheet or pan with space between them. Press your thumb into the middle of each ball to make a thumb print. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, then remove. Repeat until all the cookies are baked. When the cookies are cool, fill each thumb print with jelly. Makes 12 cookies.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Barbie's 'Happy Birthday' Cake

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes Easy Bake Oven Collection

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 teaspoons Flour
2 teaspoons Cocoa Powder
1 tablespoon Sugar
1/8 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 dash Salt
1/8 teaspoon Vanilla
4 teaspoons Water
2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
Frosting -- your choice

Stir together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla, water and oil. Stir until the batter is smooth and chocolate colored. Pour the batter
into greased and floured cake pan. Bake 13 to 15 mins. or until you see the sides of the cake separate from the pan. Remove cake and cool. Makes 1 layer cake.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Barbie's Pretty Pink Cake

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Children's Cakes Mixes Easy Bake Oven Collection

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
5 tablespoons Flour
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/8 teaspoon Salt
5 teaspoons Red Sugar Crystals
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
4 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
8 teaspoons Milk

Stir together cake flour, baking powder, salt, red sugar, vanilla, oil and
milk until the batter is smooth and pink. Pour 3 Tbsp. of batter into
greased and floured cake pan. Bake 15 mins. Repeat for second layer. Makes 2 layers.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Easy-Bake Brownies

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Easy Bake Oven Collection Children's Cakes Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 1/2 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
1/8 teaspoon Vanilla
4 teaspoons Chocolate Syrup
2 teaspoons Flour -- plus
1 tablespoon Flour

Sir together sugar, oil, vanilla, chocolate and flour until the batter is
smooth and chocolate colored. Pour batter into greased and floured pan.
Bake 15 minutes. When cool, cut them into wedges or little squares. Makes 6 wedges or 1/2 inch squares.

This page updated December 2, 1999