Kool Aid Playdough

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup salt
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid Mix (you can use one package, but by using two you get a darker color and sweeter smell)
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 Tablespoons oil

1. Mix flour, salt and Kool-Aid well in a large bowl.
2. Add boiling water and oil and then mix with a wooden spoon until it sticks together.
3. When cooled and you can handle the dough mix the rest by hand blending all the color in so it is a nice even color

Dyed Pasta

I dyed some pasta pink, red, and purple for a Valentines Day art project and decided I would share. It is such a fun and inexpensive craft project. We glued the pasta to a plate to make heart shapes, etc for V-Day, but you could do so many things with it. As a kid I did this and would make necklaces.

I decided I am going to dye a bunch of different pastas in a bunch of colors and just have them in bags in my craft closet, so we can just pull them out whenever and not have it be a production each time.

To dye the pasta all you need is:

- Pasta in different shapes and sizes
- Food coloring
- Rubbing alcohol
- Several bowls

You don't really have to measure the rubbing alcohol, but I would say for 1/2 box of pasta I used about 1/2 cup. Use as much food coloring as you need to get the color you want. Also, to make it easier for some of the colors look at the different food coloring sets. The pink I got from my Neon Food Coloring was way prettier then I got from the red food coloring as I was on my way to making red. Just mix in a bowl for about 10 minutes. I would just stir it once every minute for a few seconds. I then strained the pasta to get rid of the the excess liquid to make for faster drying. I then spread all the pasta out on wax paper to dry.

It was seriously dry in probably 10-15 minutes. The rubbing alcohol helps it dry fast.

Have fun and happy crafting!

Kids Gak (Gooey Slime)

Get slimey with Homemade Kids' Gooey-gak made from glue and borax.

What you'll need:

• Wire whisk
• 1 cup all purpose white glue (recommended: Elmer's Regular)
• 3/4 cup water
• Food coloring or 1 tablespoon tempera paint, your choice of color
• Borax detergent

How to make it:

1. Mix together with wire whisk the all purpose glue, water, and food coloring/tempera paint. I used the powdered tempera, but the liquid works just as well -- just don't mix the powdered too thin.
2. Mix separately 1/3 c. water and 1/2 tsp. Borax. Slowly pour Borax mix into glue mix.
3. Let stand a few minutes, then knead. Pour off any remaining liquid. Store in plastic bags.
4. Repeat for different colors.

Tips:

• As in all recipes, results can vary depending on humidity, conditions, etc. Please try any recipe out before attempting in a group setting with kids.
• Avoid contact with hair or clothing, especially with small children. If the Gooey Gak happens to get caught in either substance, try using vegetable oil to break down the Gak. In case of an emergency, please contact your family physician.

Homemade Playdough

 

3 cups flour

3 cups boiling water

1 1/2 cups salt

6 tsp. cream of tartar

3 Tbs. oil

Food coloring

 

In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil. Add boiling water and mix well. Knead food coloring into dough on lightly floured surface. Store in air tight container.