Finger Paints
Makes ¾ cup of each color.

Ingredients:

1 Envelope of Unflavored Powdered Gelatin
1 Cup of Cornstarch
½ Cups of Soap Flakes
2½ Cups of Cold Water
A Pea-Sized Amount of 4 Colors of Food Coloring Paste (available at most baking supply and large craft stores)
1 Small Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Paint Stirrer or a Spoon for Mixing
1 Saucepan
A Fine-Mesh Strainer
4 8-Ounce Containers
Directions:

Pour a ½ cup of water into a small mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the gelatin powder over the water and stir until the gelatin dissolves.
Combine the soap flakes, cornstarch and remaining 2 cups of water in a saucepan.
Stir in the dissolved gelatin mixture.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick.
Remove the mixture from heat and strain equal parts into the 4 8-ounce containers.
Cool the mixture for at least 1 hour.
Use the food coloring paste to make a different color in each container, stirring each until well mixed.
Note: The undiluted food coloring paste is very concentrated and can easily stain hands or clothing.

Sidewalk Chalk
Makes 4 large sticks.

Ingredients:

1½ Cups of Warm Water
3½ Cups of Plaster Patch (available at hardware stores)
6 Tablespoons of Washable Tempera Paint
Toilet Paper or Wrapping Paper Tubes Cut into 6" Lengths
1 Large Plastic Mixing Bowl
Note: If you make more than one color of chalk, use separate bowls for each color.
1 Roll of Masking Tape
1 Wooden Paint Stirrer or a Spoon for Mixing
Directions:

Use the masking tape to cover one end of each paper tube.
Pour the warm water into the mixing bowl.
Stir in Plaster Patch until the mixture is the consistency of sour cream.
Add tempera paint powder to the plaster mixture and stir until well blended.
Pour the plaster mixture into the paper tubes.
Gently tap the tubes to remove any air bubbles.
Let the chalk dry in the tubes for 2 days.
Tear the paper from around the chalk and be creative!

Play Dough

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Salt
4 Cups of Flour
5 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
¼ Cup of Vegetable Oil
3 Cups of Boiling Water
2 Teaspoons of Food Coloring
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Paint Stirrer or a Spoon for Mixing

Directions:

Put the salt, flour and Cream of Tartar into the bowl and mix well.
Slowly add the oil and half of the water, then mix.
Mix in the food coloring and the rest of water.
Let the mixture cool until you can comfortably handle it.
Knead the mixture until dough is formed.

Goop

Ingredients:

8 Ounces of Craft Glue, Such as Elmer's
2 Cups of Water
Several Drops of Tempera or Poster Paint for Color
1½ Teaspoons of Borax Powder (available at most grocery stores).
Note: Some laundry detergents contain borax, but that won't work. You need to get pure Borax Powder.
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Small Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Paint Stirrer or a Spoon for Mixing
Wax Paper
Note: This is just to protect your counter; it isn't a necessity.
1 Airtight Container
Directions:

Pour the craft glue into the larger mixing bowl.
Slowly stir in 1 cup of water.
Add several drops of paint and stir until well blended.
In the smaller bowl, mix 1 cup of warm water and the Borax Powder until it dissolves.
Slowly pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture and stir for 2-3 minutes.
Put a sheet of wax paper on a clean section of countertop and turn the mixture out onto it.
Knead the sticky mixture until it's smooth and stretches easily. Voila! You have Goop!
Store your Goop in the airtight container.

Bubbles

Ingredients:

1 Large Bucket
½ Cup of Dawn, or Other Grease-Cutting, Liquid Dishwashing Soap
5 Cups of Water
2 Tablespoons of Glycerine (available at drug stores)

Directions:

Pour the Dawn, water and glycerine into the large bucket.
Stir (don't shake) the ingredients until they're thoroughly mixed.
For longer-lasting bubbles, keep the mixture cold until you're ready to use it.

Face Paints

Ingredients:

4 Teaspoons of Vegetable Shortening, Such as Crisco
2 Teaspoons of White Flour
5 Teaspoons of Cornstarch
8 Drops of Glycerine (available at drug stores)
1 Pack of Gel Food Coloring (available at grocery stores)
Several Small Cups
Cold Cream (to apply before painting)
Cotton Swabs, Such as Q-Tips
A Small Paint Brush
Directions:

Mix the shortening, flour and cornstarch until it forms a thick paste.
Add the glycerine drops and stir until the mixture is smooth and easily spread.
Divide the mixture into several small cups.
Add the food coloring gel in small amounts to each cup and mix until you get colors you like.
To make the paint easier to remove, smooth a little bit of cold cream onto the child's cheek before applying the face paint.
Use a paint brush or cotton swab to paint on your design.
Note: Paint is removable with soap and water.