To make it a little easier, I have broken the recipes down to the following areas:

Food coloring; 1 Cup Water; 1 ½ Cup Vegetable Oil; 6 Cups Flour

Add a few drops of food coloring to water. Combine water, oil, & flour in large bowl. Knead well. If necessary, add more water in small amounts until the dough is soft and elastic. To store the dough, refrigerate it in an airtight container. Cloud dough is somewhat greasy. Make sure children play on a washable surface.

4 Cups Unsifted All-purpose Flour; 1 Cup Salt; ¼ Cup Instant coffee; 1 ½ Cup Warm water

Dissolve the coffee in the warm water. In another bowl, mix the flour and the salt. Make a well and add 1 cup of the coffee water into it. Mix with a fork or hands until smooth. Add more coffee water if needed. Dough should be smooth and satiny, not sticky or crumbly. Store in a plastic bag to prevent drying. Bake finished designs in a 300-degree oven for 1 hour (until hard). Add 2 coats of shellac to preserve.

2 Cups Cornmeal; 2 Cups Flour; ½ Cup Oil

Mix all ingredients, adding water to reach the desired consistency.

1 Can Frosting Mix; 1 1/2 Cups Powdered sugar; 1 Cup Peanut Butter; Spoon & Bowl

Mix all ingredients in bowl with spoon. Knead into workable dough. Model as with any dough.

1 Cup Flour; ½ Cup Salt; 2 tsp. Cream of tartar; 1 tsp. Vegetable oil; 1 Cup Water; Food coloring (equal parts of red & green make brown); Allspice; Cinnamon

Mix the dry ingredients. Add allspice and cinnamon (lots) for a wonderful scent. In another bowl, add food coloring to water (the color blends better this way.) Add colored water and oil to dry ingredients and stir. In a pot, cook the mixture for two to three minutes, stirring frequently. Knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow cooling. Store in an airtight container. It has a much nicer consistency and doesn't dry out like commercial play dough.

Try different colors and scent combinations. Unsweetened Kool-Aid can be used in place of allspice and cinnamon.

 1 C Flour; 2 Cups Oatmeal; 1 Cup Water

Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Knead until mixed. This dough is sticky, but unique in texture. Model as with clay.

Variations: Add cornmeal or coffee grounds in small amounts, for texture.

1 Cup Oatmeal; 2 Cups Flour; 1/2 Cup Salt; 1 ½ Cups Water; ½ Cup Oil

Mix all ingredients until the desired consistency, add more water or flour as needed.

5 Cups Powdered sugar; 3/4 Cup Peanut butter (creamy style); 2/3 Cup Light Karo Syrup; 1/3 Cup Soft margarine (Country Crock works best); 1 tsp. Vanilla; 1 tsp. Salt

Wash hands well. Depending on the climate you may need to increase or decrease the Karo syrup. It is best to add it 1/3 cup at a time. In a large/jumbo zip lock baggie add all ingredients. Add the Karo last since you may or may not have to adjust. Close zip lock and knead until pliable consistency, then let kids go for it!

Refrigerate after play if there is any left. After the initial use the peanut oil will separate so always re-knead before play. Also the peanut oil will be released some during play so make sure it is on a washable surface and kids are not clothed in non-washable clothing.

10. Peanut Butter Playdough II (Edible)

18 oz. Peanut butter; 6 Tbsp. Honey; Non-fat dry milk or milk plus flour to the right consistency; Cocoa or carob for chocolate flavor (optional)

Wash hands well. Shape. Decorate with raisins, sprinkles, etc. then EAT!

1 Cup Flour; 1 Cup Water; 1 Bag Cotton balls

Mix flour & water together to make a paste. Roll cotton balls in paste & carefully lift out, allowing excess to drop off. Form into desired shapes on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees. Can be painted when cool.

12. Scented Playdough (Vibrant color, fruity scent)

1 Cup All-purpose flour; ½ Cup Salt; 1 Package unsweetened drink mix; 1 Tbsp. Vegetable oil; 1 Cup Boiling water

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in oil and water. Stir over medium heat until mixture forms a ball. Dump on wax paper. Allow mixture to cool slightly, then knead until desired consistency. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Cut the fruit picture from the box and glue it to the lid you use to store it in.

Hint: Let the children play with the Playdough when it is still warm (not hot!) - calming!

3/4 Cup Flour; 1/4 Cup White glue; 1/4 Cup Thick shampoo

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Knead dough. Add more flour as needed. Store airtight.

2 Cups Flour; 1 Cup Salt; 1 tsp. Cream of tartar; 2 Tbsp. Oil; 1 tsp. Food coloring; 2 Cups Water

Mix all in saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until dough leaves sides of pan. Remove from pan, and when cool to the touch, knead for a few minutes.

2 1/2 - 3 Cups Flour; 1/2 Cup Salt; 1 Tbsp. Powered alum or 1 tsp. granulated alum (found in spice section); 2 Cups Water; 3 Tbsp. Oil; Wilton's paste food coloring (using a third or half a jar, makes the brightest Playdough you've ever seen)

Mix together dry ingredients. Have kids measure 2 cups of water and 3 T oil and the food coloring into a pot. Put the pot on the stove to boil. The children measure 3 flour, salt and alum into a bowl (if you use granulated alum, put this in the water instead so it can dissolve). The kids take turns stirring the dry ingredients. After the water boils, have the children stand back, pour the boiling mixture into the dry mixture and stir quickly. Roll a small handful of HOT Playdough between your palms until just barely cool enough to touch (still pretty hot) the give to a child. Children LOVE to feel the warmth and it's not hot enough to burn them.

Other options: add glitter (for fun sparkle) or unsweetened Kool-Aid powder (for scented rich color). Let the kid's just play with it one day; add cookie cutters on another day. Try garlic press, plastic knives and forks. Add a few trays to display their baked goodies. Bring out the candy molds and muffin trays on yet another day to extend the play!

Storage: Store in a jar with a tight lid. Dough will keep several months without refrigeration.

Blend Together:

2 Cups white liquid glue; 2 1/2 Cups Water

Dissolve:

1 Tbsp. Borax powder in 1/3 C Water and add to the above. Blend together with your hands (messy but fun). Dissolve another Tbsp. Borax in 1/3 C Water and add again. Blend together with hands. You can probably vary the consistency of dough by using more or less Borax.

Making this is a lot of fun as the consistency of the Playdough is kind of like oozy-slime. It's not suitable for rolling and cutting. Nor is it edible. Store in an airtight container. It doesn't have to be refrigerated. It bubbles a lot like fermenting yeast which also "adds" to the experience.

It wiped up easily from the carpet and since everything's water-soluble should probably wash off the clothes as well.

Combine chocolate and corn syrup until just blended. Spread onto a sheet of waxed paper to 3/8-inch thickness (about an 8-inch square). Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature for about 2-3 hours or until dry to the touch. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap; let stand overnight. Use immediately or store up to 2 weeks.

2 rolls toilet tissue, torn into pieces; 1 1/2 bars Ivory soap, shaved; 2 qt. warm water

Let children help combine all ingredients in a big plastic dishpan or large bucket. Knead by hand until soft and gooey, adding more water as necessary.

Put 1/2 C Cornstarch in a small bowl (a small margarine tub works well). Give each child a small container containing 1/4 cup of water. Then mix in a teaspoon at a time noticing the changes each time. It is an amazing sensory experience.

1 Cup Flour; 1/4 Cup Sugar; 1/4 Cup Salt; 3/4 Cup Water; Food coloring

 Mix all together and put in squeeze bottle. Drizzle on paper.

2 Cups Dryer Lint (firmly packed); 1/3 Cup Warm water; 6 Tbsp. White glue; 1 Tbsp. Clear dishwashing liquid

Tear the lint up into little bits. Mix everything in a bowl and knead until workable. Make things. Let them dry for several days.

1/2 Cup Light corn syrup; 3/4 Cup Peanut butter; 1/2 Cup Soft margarine; 1/2 tsp. Salt; 1 tsp. Vanilla; 1 Cup Sugar; 1 Cup Flour

Mix ingredients well and knead until smooth - then play.

Solution A:

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water; 2 Cups Elmers Glue; Food Coloring

Solution B:

4 tsp. Borax; 1 1/3 Cups Warm water

Mix Solution A in one bowl. Mix Solution B in another bowl. Dissolve both well. Then just pour Solution A into Solution B. DO NOT MIX OR STIR! Just lift out flubber.

I made this with my daughter's class, and the teacher & children loved it! It's neater than "Gak" or "slime". And it also a safe chemical reaction for the kids to see. I used a glass bowl for solution B so the kids could see the flubber form in the bowl. It just becomes a big "cloud" of rubbery stuff. Store in baggies. If you half the recipe, you only need to half the solution A and it will work the same.

3 oz pkg. Sugar free fruit flavored gelatin; 2 Cups Flour; 1 Cup Salt; 4 Tbsp. Cream of Tartar; 2 Cups Boiling water; 2 Tbsp. Cooking Oil

Mix dry ingredients in saucepan. Add the boiling water and oil. Stir over medium heat until mixture forms a ball. Dump on wax paper. Cut the fruit picture from the box & glue it to the lid you use to store it in.

9. GAK--some people call it GLARCH (This resembles Nickelodeon "GAK")

You can make it white and the kids can color it with markers. It's a surefire rainy-day hit! You can also color it with food coloring and cut it with scissors, etc. When colored with markers, it quickly turns slate-gray/brown, but it's cheap and easy to make another batch.

2 Cups White glue; 1 1/2 Cups Water at room temperature; 1 Cup Hot water; 2 1/2 Tbsp. Borax

Thoroughly blend glue and room temperature water. In larger bowl, combine hot water and Borax, stirring until Borax is dissolved. Slowly pour glue mixture into Borax mixture, stirring constantly. Turn out and knead until it isn't sticky anymore. Will keep for weeks in a tightly covered container in the fridge.

Stir together:

2 Cups White glue; 1 3/4 Cups Water

Separately, dissolve:

1 tsp. Borax in 1/2 Cup Warm water.

Add to the glue mixture. Repeat twice. In order to get the mixture smooth, you will have to mix these three separately at the same time.

11. Goop (Fun because it seems both wet and dry at the same time!)

1 Box (16 oz.) Cornstarch; 1 Cup Water; Food coloring (optional)

Let children add water to the cornstarch in small additions, and mix the ingredients by hands. Add a few drops of food coloring into the mixture, if desired.

Hint: Cookie trays/broiler pans that have ridged edges are a great play surface for goop and clays.

3/4 Cup Salt; 2 Cups boiling Water; 1 or 2 pkgs. Kool-Aid; 3 Tbsp. Oil; 4 Cups Flour

Mix first 4 ingredients. Add flour. If dough is too sticky, add more flour. Knead the dough a few times. Store in plastic bags or containers while it is not being used. Refrigerate for a different texture.

1 Cup Salt; 1 Cup Flour; Food coloring, optional; 1/2 Cup Water

Stir salt and flour together in a medium bowl. Add food coloring to water to achieve desired color. Pour water into salt and flour mixture and knead until mixture is doughy, adding more flour or water as necessary. Store in airtight container. Objects made with this clay will air dry in about 48 hours.

Hint: As a variation, omit food coloring and let children paint their dried creations with tempera paint.

1 Cup Sand; 1/2 Cup Cornstarch; 1 tsp. Alum (this is found in spice section of store); 3/4 Cup Hot water; Food coloring (optional)

Mix sand, cornstarch and alum in bowl. Add water, stirring vigorously. Add food coloring if desired. Cook over medium heat until thick. Cool and model. Dry in sun for a few days.

Will keep in an airtight container use with shells for seascape... shells will dry into mixture. A fun way to make permanent sand castles for your sandtable (with those new sandcastle/beach plastic pail sets). Add some plastic people figures and instant kingdom!

USE OLD POT FOR COOKING ON STOVE. SAND WILL SCRATCH. Makes permanent sand sculptures. It becomes stone-like when dry.

Fine sand; Water; Food coloring; Paper cups; Plastic spoons

Fill paper cups half full with sand. Next, add water to cups to completely cover sand. Add food coloring to get the desired color. Stir with plastic spoon and let set for 15 minutes. Pour off water, spoon sand onto paper towels and spread the sand out to dry.

1 Cup Fine Sawdust; Food coloring; Old newspaper; Shellac or Varnish; 1 Cup Thin Paste or Paper Paste

If desired, dye sawdust with food coloring. Drain and spread on newspaper to dry before using. Mix sawdust and paste to a thick dough-like consistency. Knead until thoroughly mixed. The amounts of paste may vary according to the kind of sawdust used. If the sawdust is coarse, more paste may be needed to obtain the proper consistency.

Uses: Model as with clay. Articles molded with this compound have a lovely woodgrain appearance.

TO USE: Pieces of dough may be added to the basic piece by moistening and sticking them down. Within two to three days, the finished article will harden. To speed up drying bake in a 200-degree oven for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the article. To give the article a permanent finish, spray with shellac or varnish. They can also be sanded to give a smoother finish.

2 Cups Sawdust; 3 Cups Flour; 1 Cup Salt

Combine all. Add water as needed. This dough becomes very hard and is not easily broken.

1 Cup Cornstarch; 1 C Salt; 1 1/2 Cups Flour; 1/2 Cup Water (maybe take more)

Mix together cornstarch, salt and flour. Add water. Then mix until right consistency. It's easiest and messiest to mix with hands! This can be stored in zip-lock in fridge.

1 part Liquid Sta-Flo Starch; 1 part Elmer's White Glue; Food Coloring

Mix together until it feels like putty. If too sticky, add 1 tsp. starch. If too stringy - add 1/2 tsp. glue. Knead on a paper covered surface until smooth (takes a while). Doesn't store well.

For a "silly putty" substance, mix equal parts of Elmer's glue with liquid laundry starch.

For a "slimier" substance, mix cornstarch with water. It will be slimy. You can add food coloring to it to make it even more disgusting!

1 Part Liquid starch; 2 Parts Elmer's Glue; Food coloring, optional

Mix and enjoy. It's supposed to be like slime.

1 box Ivory Soapflakes; 1 Gallon Water; Food color

Beat with mixer - Makes 5 gallon bucket.

Mix water and lint together in a large saucepan, stirring well. Slowly add flour, mixing well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture holds together, forming peaks.

Use mixture over a base, such as a box, balloon or bottle, spreading like papier-mâché. Dry 4 - 5 days. Store unused airtight and will keep only 4-5 days.

3 Cups Lint (from laundry dryers); 2 Cups Cold or warm water; 2/3 Cups Non-self-rising wheat flour; 3 drops oil of wintergreen; Old newspaper

Put lint and water in a large saucepan. Stir to dampen all parts of the lint. Add flour and stir thoroughly to prevent lumps. Add oil of wintergreen. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture holds together and forms peaks. Pour out onto several thickness of newspaper to cool. Use as you would papier-mâché pulp or shaped over armatures (boxes, bottles, balloons, and so forth) or press into a mold. This material will dry in 3 to 5 days to a very hard, durable surface. When wet it has a feltlike consistency. It dries to smooth or rough, depending on how it is used. When pressed into a mold, a hard, smooth finish is obtained. Stored in an airtight container, it will keep for several days.

1/2 Cup Flour; 2 Cups Cold water; 2 Cups Boiling water; 3 Tbsp. Sugar

Combine flour and cold water. Put mixture into a saucepan of boiling water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Let it cool; it will thicken as it cools. Once cooled, it is ready to use. Great for piñata's!

Suggested age - 4 & up; does not need cooking before use; projects may be sun-dried.

Paper napkins, tissue or toilet paper; Thin paste or white glue

Crumble napkins or tissue. Cover with thin paste of white glue. Model to desired shape. Use to add details such as noses, ears, eyebrows, and so forth to larger pieces.

Hint: This mixture does NOT keep and must be used immediately.

Suggested age - 4 & up; needs cooked; projects may be air-dried.

Newspapers; 1 Cup Wheat flour; 1/2 Gallon water; 4 Drops Cinnamon oil; Poster or tempera paints; Shellac or varnish

Fill bowl with newspaper pieces 1/2" x 1 1/2". Boil water in large pot. Add newspaper pieces to pot stirring constantly with slotted spoon. Cook over medium heat 20 minutes until broken down. Stir occasionally. Beat with electric mixer until smooth. Strain through colander, but do not squeeze. Return paper to pot. Add flour, mix well, and return to heat on low. Cook until stiff enough to stand in piles. Mix in oil of cinnamon. Pour onto thick newspaper to cool.

Model as with clay. Allow several days to dry or, bake at 200 until dry. When dry, sand until smooth, and paint. Shellac or varnish.

Hints: Makes enough mash for 1 project. Dries to hard, durable finish.

Variations: Cover jars, bottles, blocks of wood. Cover boxes to make furniture, 1/2" thick.

Suggested age - 4 & up; no cooking needed before use; projects can air dry.

Tissues (Colored tissues are a pretty); Liquid starch; Liquid glue

Tear tissues into pieces or strips. Soak in starch until mushy in bowl or bucket. Add liquid glue until pulp holds a form. Squeeze out excess starch. Shape. Dry. Paint, if desired.

Variations - cover a form such as balls of newspaper, milk carton, a balloon, etc.

1/2 Cup Flour; 1/4 Cup Powdered resin glue; 1/2 Cup Warm water; 1 1/2 Cups Hot water; 4 Drops of Oil of Wintergreen

Mix flour and resin glue in a saucepan. Make a paste with 1/2 cup of warm water. Add hot water, stiffing vigorously to prevent lumps. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thick, clear and smooth. Makes about 1 pint. Use paste within a few days of preparation. It gives a very hard finish to papier-mâché projects and is good to use in making large permanent objects.

Suggested age - 5 & up; no cooking needed before use; projects can be sun-dried.

Old Newspapers; Wallpaper paste or thin glue paste; Balloon, jar, or light bulb

Tear newspaper into long thin strips from the fold down. Lay paper strips on a pad of newspaper and cover one side of strips with paste or pull through paste, squeezing off extra paste with fingers. Cover a base such as a balloon, jar, or light bulb with paste covered newspaper strips. Hint: lay strips in one direction. Apply second layer of strips, running these across first layer. Continue for 4 or 5 layers. Allow 1 to 2 days to dry. Traditional and proven.

Variations: Build a shape of newspaper tubes and form strips over this base. Use to build puppets, piñatas, animals or other articles.

1/2 Cup Flour; 2 Tbsp. Sugar; 1 Cup Water; 1/4 tsp. Peppermint Oil or Wintergreen Oil

Mix flour and sugar. Gradually add water, stirring vigorously. Cook over low heat until clear stirring constantly. Remove from stove and add oil of Peppermint. Stir until well blended.

How to use: Spread with a brush or tongue depressor. This paste can be stored in a covered jar for several weeks without refrigeration.

1/3 Cup Non-self-rising wheat flour; 2 Tbsp. Sugar; 1 Cup Water; 1/4 tsp. oil of cinnamon

Mix flour and sugar in a saucepan. Gradually add water, stirring vigorously to break up lumps. Cook over low heat until clear, stirring constantly. Remove from stove and add oil of cinnamon. Stir until well blended. Makes about 1 cup. Spread paste with a brush or tongue depressor. Soft, smooth, thick

and white, Paper Paste has a good spreading consistency and is especially appropriate for use with small children or for any paste-up work. This paste can be stored in a covered jar for several weeks without refrigeration.

Suggested age - 3 & up; needs cooking in preparation. Use with Soft papier-mâché Pulp.

1/4 Cup Sugar; 1/4 Cup Flour; 1/2 tsp. Alum; 1 3/4 Cup Water; 1/4 tsp. Oil of Cinnamon (optional); Brush or tongue depressor

Mix sugar, flour, and alum in pan. Add 1 cup water gradually, stirring vigorously. Boil until clear and smooth, stirring. Add remaining water, and oil of cinnamon. Stir. Spread with brush or tongue depressor.

Hints: makes 1 pint; stores for several months without refrigeration.

1/4 Cup Sugar; 1/4 Cup Non-self-rising flour; 1/2 tsp. powdered alum; 1-3/4 Cup Water; 1/4 tsp. oil of cinnamon

In a medium-sized pan, mix together sugar, flour and alum. Gradually add 1 cup water, stirring vigorously to break up lumps. Boil until clear and smooth stirring constantly. Add remaining water and oil of cinnamon. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Makes one pint. How to use it: Spread paste with a brush or tongue depressor. Thin Paste is an excellent adhesive for scrapbooks, collages, and Strip Papier-mâché'. This paste can be stored in a jar for several months without refrigeration.

Portion the soap into several containers & add food coloring to make paint shades. Let kids paint the tub & themselves as they bathe. These paints rinse easily off the children, the tub, the walls & you!

1/4 tsp. Powdered tempera paint; 1/8 Cup Baby lotion; 1 squirt Liquid dishwashing soap

Mix all ingredients. Easily removed by soap and water.

1 pint Pasta or Rice; 2 tsp. Food coloring; 3 tsp. Rubbing alcohol; Clean Butter tub

Mix food coloring and rubbing alcohol together in a container. Add the pasta and cover with lid. Slowly shake the container, making sure you cover all the pasta with color. Spread the pasta on the cookie sheet in a single layer. Allow drying for several hours.

3 Tbsp. Cornstarch; 1/4 Cup Cold water; 2 drops Dishwashing liquid; 1 Cup Boiling water; Food coloring

Combine cornstarch and cold water. Stir until smooth. Add dishwashing liquid. Pour boiling water into the bowl and stir until the mixture thickens. Add food coloring and let cool. Use, as you would finger paint.

1 Tbsp. Cold water; 2 Tbsp. Cornstarch; 1 Cup Boiling water; Food coloring

Combine cold water and corn starch. Stir until smooth. Add boiling water and stir again, until smooth. Add food coloring until paint is desired color. Let cool. Store this paint in a covered container. If the mixtures dry between uses, add water to thin it.

Hint: To reduce messes have children work on old baking sheet or tape paper to the work surface. Try different textures of materials to paint on (freezer bags, paper bags, or aluminum foil).

1 Egg yolk; 1/4 tsp. Water; Food coloring

Mix egg yolk with water and lots of food coloring. Use a paintbrush to paint on baked sugar cookies. Return cookies to oven until egg has solidified.

3 C Vano Starch; Powdered Tempera

Add tempera to starch till desired color.

3 C Vano Starch; 1 C Ivory Snow Soap Flakes; Powdered Tempera

Mix starch and soap under medium heat till it boils. Add tempera.

1 Cup Linit Starch; 1 Cup Ivory Snow Flakes; 1 Cup Cold water; 3 Cup Boiling Water

Mix starch and cold water till smooth paste. Add boiling water and cook until thick & glossy, stirring constantly. Add soap flakes & beat with eggbeater until smooth.

2 Cups Flour; 2 tsp. Salt; 2 1/2 Cups Cold water; 2 Cups Boiling water; Food coloring

Mix flour with salt. Add cold water. Stir until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to boiling water. Boil until smooth and thick. Add food coloring, then stir until smooth.

1 Cup Flour; 1 Cup Cold water + 3 Cups Cold water; Food coloring

In large saucepan combine flour and cold water. Stir till smooth. Add 3 cups additional cold water. Cook and stir over medium heat till mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce heat. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Remove from heat and pour into three heatproof bowls. Use food coloring to tint desired colors. Cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature till cool. Spoon paint on paper; paint!

1 Cup Soap Flakes; 1/2 Cup Water; Food coloring or dry tempera

Whip soap flakes with water. Tint with food coloring or dry tempera. Paint on white shelf paper or waxed paper. Make sure all of above are covered in airtight containers.

Jell-O; boiling Water

Use enough boiling water to make it goo consistencies for finger-paint. Use you normal finger-painting material or glossy paper. Kids love the smell and the feel of it.

2 Cups Flour; 2 pkgs. Unsweetened Kool-Aid; 1/2 Cup Salt; 3 Cups Boiling water; 3 Tbsp. Oil

Mix wet into dry. The kids love the color change. Then finger-paint away.

Broken crayon pieces; Muffin tin, candy mold or cupcake pan

Place crayon pieces into muffin tin, candy mold or cupcake pan. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Leave in oven long enough to melt. Turn off the oven and leave in the oven or take out very carefully so as not to mix colors if you are making multi-colored crayons. Wax will be very hot.

Broken crayon pieces; Mason jars; Muffin tin, candy mold or cupcake pan

Using a Mason jar, melt the crayon pieces in a large pot of boiling water. Then pour them into the molds and let them cool. They just pop out.

Tip: Keep your colors together (i.e. browns w/brown, purples w/purples, etc.)

17. Noodle Dye I (for Noodle Beads and Collages)

1 pint Pasta or Rice; 2 tsp. Food coloring; 3 tsp. Rubbing alcohol

Mix food coloring and rubbing alcohol together in a container. Add the pasta and cover with lid. Slowly shake the container, making sure you cover all the pasta with color. Spread the pasta on the cookie sheet in a single layer. Allow drying for several hours.

Glass quart jar; Noodles of choice; 1/4 Cup Rubbing alcohol; Food coloring

Put noodles in jar, add alcohol and food coloring to desired vibrancy. Turn gently to color. Lay out on paper towels and let alcohol evaporate.

 Mix tempera paint with:

Water & soap flakes to make it easier to wash out. Detergent to prevent cracking. Condensed milk for a glossy look. Alum as a preservation. Sawdust, salt, crushed eggshells, or coffee grounds to give texture.

1/2 Cup powdered nonfat milk; 1/2 Cup Water; Powdered Paint Pigments

Mix milk and water. Stir until milk is dissolved. Combine only as much solution with powdered pigments as you intend to use in one sitting. Makes about 3/4 cup. For a large group, combine any amount of powdered milk with an equal amount of water. This paint dries quickly to a glossy, opaque finish. It does not dust, chip, or come off on your hands the way poster paint does. Mix a small amount of the solution with powdered pigment in a palette pan. Work smooth with a brush. Use water to thin paint and to clean your brushes. Store this medium in a tightly capped jar in the refrigerator.

21. Pudding Finger Paint I (Edible)

Any type of instant pudding; Water; Old paper bags or anything you use to finger-paint on

Mix pudding and water together until you have a good consistency for finger paint.

22. Pudding Finger Paint II (Edible)

Instant Vanilla Pudding; Food Coloring

Mix pudding according to directions. Add food coloring for desired color. Finger paint on paper plate.

Flour; Salt; Water; Tempera paint

Mix equal parts of flour, salt and water in a bowl. Add a small amount of tempera paint to the mixture and pour into a small plastic squeeze bottle. Repeat the procedure making as many colors as you wish. Squeeze onto heavy paper or cardboard to make designs. Mixture will harden into puffy shapes.

1/8 Cup liquid Starch; 1/8 Cup Water; 1 Tbsp. Tempera Paint

Mix together and apply to paper with a brush. Keep stirring mixture. Paint will crystallize as it dries.

Tempera paint (powder); Sand

Mix dry tempera paint with sand. Let kids spread glue on picture and sprinkle on sand.

White glue; Tempera paint (liquid); Dish detergent

Pour glue into small cups. Mix your choice of liquid tempera paint in each. Use to paint on wood, paper, or cardboard as you would with any paint. Paint will dry shiny as if glazed.

Variations: Paint pine cones, driftwood, rocks or glass. Try painting with sponge brushes for a very smooth finish. To help paint adhere to shiny, smooth surfaces, add a few drops of dish detergent.

1 3/4 Cup Ivory Snow; (powder); 50 drops food coloring; 1/4 Cup water

Mix water & soap flakes together. Add food coloring & put mixture into an ice cube tray. Allow hardening. Break or cut into pieces. Fun to write with on the tub when bathing & face & hands!

Food Coloring; Water

Place water and food coloring in empty spray bottle. Let children spray colors on the snow to make designs.

1 Cup Laundry Soap Flakes; 1/2 Cup Cold Water; Food Coloring

Mix together. Beat with an eggbeater until fluffy. Finger paint.

1 Cup Laundry Soap Flakes; 1/4 Cup Water; 1/3 Cup Liquid Starch

Mix together. Beat with a whisk for 3 minutes.

Liquid starch (in plastic squeeze bottles); Liquid Dish Soap; Dry Tempera Paint in salt shakers

Use the detergent sparingly and the liquid starch generously. Colors are shaken into the liquid mixture and spread around to suit the child's taste. Some caution must be given to children about not using too much tempera or the finer paint mixture will be too dry.

1 Tbsp. White vinegar; 1 1/2 Tbsp. Baking soda; 1 Tbsp. Cornstarch; 1/2 tsp. Glycerin; Food coloring

Mix vinegar and baking soda in small bowl & allow foaming. After foaming stops, add cornstarch and glycerin. Stir well (up to a couple of minutes). Portion the mixture into a paint palette, muffin tin or similar container and add food coloring. Make the colors dark since drying & use will lighten them. Allow watercolors to dry in a warm place for several hours or overnight. Makes 1 set of Watercolors.

Combine all ingredients. Mix well until salt dissolves.

2 Cups Joy or Dawn (dishwashing soap); 6 Cups Warm water; 3/4 Cup White Karo corn syrup

For best results: combine and shake. Let settle for 4 hours (the longer the better!) This is great bubble soap for those big wands you wave around.

1/2 Cup Water; 1/2 Cup Liquid Detergent; 1 Tbsp. Cooking Oil

Mix together and use.

1 Part Dishwashing detergent; 1 Part Sugar, Gelatin powder, or Glycerin; 8 to 10 Parts Warm water

Mix all gently (making suds will weaken mixture). The sugar or gelatin is added to make bubbles sturdier.

4-5 Eggshells; 1 tsp. Flour; 1 tsp. very hot tap Water; Food coloring, optional

Wash & dry eggshells. Put into bowl and grind into a powder. A mortar and pestle works fine for this.

Discard any large pieces. Place flour and hot water in another bowl and add 1-tablespoon eggshell powder & mix until a paste forms. Add food coloring if desired. Shape & press mixture firmly into the shape of a chalk stick. Roll up tightly in a strip of paper towel. Allow drying approximately 3 days until hard. Remove paper towel & you've got chalk! Eggshell chalk is for sidewalks only.

1 Tbsp. Fruit-flavored gelatin mix (with sugar); 2 Tbsp. Hot water; Glossy pictures cut from magazines, mailings, old posters, etc.

Place the gelatin in a small bowl. Add water and stir until dissolved. While the "stamp glue" is still warm, spread onto the back of paper with fingers or a brush. The stamps may take several hours to dry. If they curl, flatten them by placing the dry stamps between the pages of a heavy book. When ready to use, lick the back of the stamp and stick it to paper.

2 tsp. White shortening; 5 tsp. Cornstarch; 1 tsp. White flour; 4 drops Glycerin; Food coloring; 2 1/2 tsp. of unsweetened cocoa (optional)

In a small bowl, mix shortening, cornstarch and white flour. Add four drops of glycerin. Stir to a creamy consistency. Add any food coloring that you wish.

For brown make-up, add unsweetened cocoa instead of food coloring.

2 Cups Water; 2 Cups Plaster of Paris; 2 Tbsp. Tempera paint ; Toilet paper tubes with duct tape over one end

Combine and stir together. Let stand a few minutes. Place tubes on cookie sheet lined with foil or wax paper. Pour mixture into holders and let stand until semi-firm. Remove holders and let dry completely. Ready to use in 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. (Reminder, never pour plaster down sink).

This one needs some supervision, but it's awfully fun.

Take paraffin and melt it (boil some water in a big pot and put the paraffin in an old coffee can inside the pot of water). Fill some small little water balloons with water. Take old crayons and melt them into the paraffin to add color. Dip the water balloon (holding the tied end) into the melted paraffin. Keep the paraffin about 1/2-inch from the top of the balloon. It works great if you dip in hot water then dip in the bucket of cold water to cool it. Just keep dipping until there is a thick layer of paraffin around the balloon. Let it dry overnight and harden. Then pop the balloon, and fill the shell with more melted paraffin and a wick. The candles turn out really cool shapes. You could try dipping hands in the mixture and make candle hands…

1 large bottle ground cinnamon (about 1 cup); 3/4 Cup applesauce

Combine cinnamon with applesauce to form stiff dough (adding additional applesauce if necessary). Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter. Make hole for ribbon. Carefully place of wire rack to dry. Let air dry several days but turn occasionally. Makes 12.

Food Coloring, 5 to 6 drops; 1/2 Cup Salt

Add food coloring to salt. Stir well. Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread on waxed paper and let air dry. Store in an airtight container. Use, as you would glitter.

1 pt Powdered Borax; 2 pt Cornmeal; Covered cardboard box; Fresh flowers

Thoroughly mix borax and cornmeal. Cover the bottom of the box with 3/4 of an inch of this mixture. Cut flower stems about 1 inch long. Lay the flowers face down in this mixture. Spread the petals and leaves so that they lie as flat as possible. Do not place flowers too close together. Cover the flowers with 3/4 of an inch of the mixture. Place the lid on the box and keep at room temperature for 3 to 4 weeks. This is an excellent way to preserve corsages or flowers from someone special. Try daisies, pansies, apple blossoms, asters, violets, and other flowers with this method. They will stay summer fresh indefinitely.

Fresh Flowers (roses, pansies, violets, sweet peas, chrysanthemums, zinnias, marigolds, daisies); Florist's wire; Airtight container such as -a coffee can; Plastic bag; Borax; Wire or string; Soft brush

Pick flowers at the peak of their bloom. Remove the stems. Make new stems with florist's wire. Run wire through the base of the flower and twist the two ends together. Line the coffee can with the plastic bag. Pour enough borax into the plastic bag to cover the bottom to a depth of 1 inch. Place flower face down in the borax. Pour about 1 inch of borax over the top of the flower. Add more flowers and borax until the container is full. Gather the top of the bag, squeezing out all the air inside it. Fasten shut with wire or string. Place lid on can and set aside in a dry place for at least 4 weeks. Remove flowers from borax and carefully brush away all borax with a soft brush.

USES: Flowers preserved in this way make colorful "permanent" floral arrangements. Flowers picked at the peak of their bloom remain fresh looking indefinitely.

TO USE: Using the wire stems, makes an attractive flower arrangement as you would a fresh-flower bouquet.

Have children make homemade soap balls to give as a holiday gift or just as a middle of the year surprise to someone special in their lives.

Water; Ivory Soapflakes

Use water to moisten Ivory snowflakes to the consistency of very stiff dough. Divide the dough into several bowls. Add a different perfume and food coloring to each bowl for variety.

Have children shape large spoonfuls of the soap into balls. Have them make about three balls each. Place the balls on trays (labeled with their modeler's name) to harden for several days.

Have children wrap their three soap balls in colored cellophane paper and tie the package with a pretty ribbon.

2 1/2 lb. Epsom Salts; Food Coloring; Perfume

Combine Epsom salts with food coloring and perfume in a large bowl. Mix well so color is even. Put into smaller jars and let stand 4-6 weeks before using. This causes the odor to blend with the salts.

This bath salt is very soothing and makes for a very relaxed bath.

3/4 Cup Ground cinnamon; 1 Cup Applesauce; 1 Tbsp. Ground nutmeg; 1 Tbsp. Ground allspice; 1 Tbsp. Ground cloves

Mix together above ingredients. Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness (dust the tabletop and rolling pin with cinnamon to prevent sticking). Let the children use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the dough. Place the shapes on waxed paper. If you plan to hang, poke a hole in the top of each shape. Allow the shapes to air-dry for several days (or bake them on a cookie sheet for several hours at 250 degrees). Turn the shapes often to prevent curling. To complete the spicy ornaments, tie on loops of ribbon or yarn for hangers.

9. Spicy Applesauce Ornaments II (Cinnamon Applesauce Hearts)

1 lb. jar sweetened applesauce; 8 oz. Cinnamon

Drain jar of applesauce overnight (you will be amazed at how much water seeps out!!). Add cinnamon and mix together well. Pat into a ball, press hard to solidify and mix. Then pat out in 1-cup units onto wax paper, push to 1/4" thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Dry on wax paper. Oh - poke a hole in the top with toothpick (I used a chopstick!). Turn over and dry in a warm place for several days. Then hang a ribbon through the hole, use as a decoration or a kind of sachet. They are definitely NOT edible.

1 Cup Cornstarch; 4 Cups Water; 1/3 Cup Sugar; Food coloring; Large ziploc bags; Duct tape

Mix above ingredients together into a large fry pan. Cook until thickened. Remove and stir until cool and add coloring. Make three or four different colors of rainbow stew. Put two different colors into a large ziploc bag. Push the air out of the bags, seal and duct tape to top of ziploc bag.

Let the children squeeze the bag and see what happens. This will keep for about 2 weeks. This is a wonderful lesson on primary color mixing.

1/3 Cup Sugar; 1 Cup Cornstarch; 4 Cups Cold water

Cook until thick. Put in bowls and add food coloring. Put in ziplock baggies. Let the kids play with it while it is in the bags for a neat sensory experience or use it to mix colors.