Uncooked playdough

Uncooked playdough can be stored in a plastic bag or airtight container and kept for 1 to 2 weeks.

This recipe makes enough dough for 10 families.

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain flour
• 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• a few drops of food colouring
• 2 cups boiling water

Method

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the oil and food colouring.

Carefully pour the boiling water into the bowl. Mix the dough with a spoon.

When the dough has come together, knead until smooth.

Cloud dough

This recipe makes kinetic, sand-like dough.

Ingredients

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 8 cups plain flour

Method

Add 1 cup of oil to 8 cups of flour. Stir well.

Foam bubbles

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
• ¼ cup water
• food colouring
• electric beater

Accessories and equipment

Method

In a bowl, add 2 tbs of dishwashing liquid and ¼ cup of water. Add food colouring to the mix if desired. Mix on the highest possible setting for 1 to 2 minutes.

Your foam should be able to form stiff peaks that hold their shape. Scoop it out into your container (kitty litter trays work well) and repeat as necessary until you have the desired amount of foam.

Fluffy stuff

Ingredients

• 2 boxes cornflour
• 1 can shaving cream

Method

Mix all the shaving cream through the cornflour.

Coloured rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• food colour
• large zip-lock bags (if you do not have zip-lock bags, mix in a bowl)

Accessories and equipment

Method

To a large zip-lock bag, add 1 tbs vinegar to 1 cup of rice, add as much colour as you need to get your desired colour. Shake until all rice is coated.

Lay out rice on a tray and leave until dry. Repeat with each colour.

Soap slime

Ingredients

• 1 cup soap flakes
• 2 litres of warm water
• food colouring

Method

Dissolve soap flakes in warm water in a large plastic container and add food colouring. Allow mixture to stand until it becomes thick; add more water if necessary.

Leave for a couple of hours or overnight if possible.

Gloop

Gloop is interesting because it feels both firm and liquid at different times.

Ingredients

• 1 box cornflour
• water
• food colouring

Method

Mix together equal parts of cornflour and water with a few drops of food colouring.

Cornflour paste or glue

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 1 cup cold water

Method

Mix 2 tablespoons of cornflour with 1 cup of cold water in a saucepan. Stir over heat until the mixture thickens. Store in the refrigerator.

Tip: to make non-toxic finger paint suitable for babies you can add food colouring.