Homemade Fun

We are all looking for fun things to do with our kids during these cold winter days.  I'm going to share some of my mom's secrets.

Playdough

1 c. flour
1 c. water
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 Tbsp cooling oil
food coloring

Mix dry ingredients in heavy saucepan.  Add oil, water, and coloring.  Cook 3 min. (med heat) until mixture pulls away from sides of pan.  Knead almost immediately.  Store in Ziploc bag.


Quick and Easy Playdough

1 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 tsp. powdered alum
1 c. water

Add flour til the texture is right.  Add coloring.

 
Bubbles for Blowing

1 c. water
4 T detergent - liquid
few drops of vegetable oil


Painted faces

Preschool children find Halloween masks difficult to deal with at times. Why not apply face paint?

2 T white shortening
1 t. white flour
5 t cornstarch
glycerin
food coloring

Blend to form a smooth paste.  Add 3 - 4 drops of glycerin for creamy consistency.  Yield should be enough for a child's face.  Using fingers, stroke in one direction, spreading the mixture over the face.

For brown face paint, use 1 T of white shortening to 2 1/2 t. Cocoa