Tub/Body Paint recipe on MomsAllStop.com

Playdoh
1 C. flour
1 C. boiling water
2 Tbsp. cream of tartar
1/2 C. salt
1 Tbsp. oil
Food coloring

Mix and knead together.

This playdoh is not sticky and does not dry out.

Fingerpaints
1 cup of cold water
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
Washable, nontoxic tempera paint
Bowls
Finger-paint paper or freezer paper
Masking tape

1. In a small saucepan, stir together the cold water and cornstarch.
2. Whisk the mixture over low heat for about 5 minutes until it thickens and clears -- this will happen all at once.
3. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup, then divide the mixture into bowls and stir a squirt of tempera paint into each one.
4. After the paint has cooled, scoop blobs of it onto finger-paint paper (taped to your table) and let your kids start smearing.
5. Leftover paint can be stored in sealed containers in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.

Oatmeal Clay
1 cup rolled oats (instant or old fashioned)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra
1/2 cup water
Food Coloring (optional) - add to water before adding to dry ingredients if wanted

1. Stir together all the ingredients in a bowl until the mixture forms a lump, adding more flour if needed.
2. knead it on a floured surface until the mixture is smooth and not too sticky.

This recipe provides hours of creating fun but if left out overnight, it will harden. Put the extra away in a ziploc baggie for another time. Can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

Slime
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup glue
several drops of green food coloring

Mix the above ingredients together in a bowl.

In another bowl, mix together:
4 tsp. Borax
1 1/3 cups warm water

Pour the contents of the first bowl into the second bowl. DO NOT STIR.
Let sit for 1 minute then lift the slime out of the bowl.

Note: The glue in the slime can make it stick to certain fabrics, so play with it in appropriate places. Place the slime in a ziploc bag when not being played with.

NOT recommended for kids under the age of 3 years.

Rubber Flubber
1 quart of water
1 Tbsp. Borax
Food Coloring
White Glue

1. Put the quart of water and the Borax into a large jar.
2. Stir well and then let sit for a few minutes.
3. Fill a disposable cup 3/4 of the way full with the solution.
4. Add white glue (in a steady stream), stirring continuously, until a stringy mass wraps around the spoon.
5. Pull the stringy mass off of the spoon and drop it into a bowl of cold water.
6. Remove the Rubber Flubber from the water and squeeze it for about a minute to get rid of air bubbles.
7. Roll into a ball and see how high it will bounce.

Store in a plastic bag.

Watercolors
Flavored packet of drink mix (like Kool-aid) that would make 2 quarts
2 tsp. warm water

Each packet and water will make one paint color

Combine the packet of drink mix with the water in a small cup. Stir until completely dissolved.

Use with a paintbrush on watercolor paper.

Refrigerate in airtight containers, any leftover paint, for up to 3 days.

Sidewalk Chalk
1 cup Plaster of Paris
1 cup water
Powdered Tempera Paints
A mold (small paper cups, toilet paper rolls, candy molds,)

1. Mix the Plaster of Paris and water together.
2. If you want colored chalk, mix in some powdered paints to achieve the color you are looking for.
3. Let set for a few minutes and then pour it into your mold.
4. Put aside and let dry completely. The amount of time depends on the size of your mold. Can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
5. After it drys, remove the chalk from the mold (if using a paper mold, just peel it away).
6. If still a bit moist, let air dry another day before using.

Bubbles
3 cups water
1 cup dish liquid
1/3 cup corn syrup

Mix together. Keep in a jar and use within a couple of weeks.

Puffy Paint
Mix together equal parts of:
Flour
Sugar
Water

Then add liquid tempera paints for color. You can put these in squeeze bottles. Allow the paint to flow, without pushing or dragging on it. The pictures will dry puffy.

Soapy Surprises
1 cup grated soap - Ivory works well
1/4 - 1/3 cup warm water
Food Coloring
Small Toys - tiny rubber animals work well
optional: a few drops of essential oils found at your local craft store

1. Mix the water, food coloring and soap in a bowl.
2. When it begins to stiffen, remove it from the bowl and knead it until it feels like very thick dough.
3. Roll a piece of dough into a ball with your hands.
4. Make a hole in one side with your finger, big enough for one of the small toys. Place a small toy in the hole.
5. Fill in the hole with more dough and smooth to seal it.
6. Allow your soapy surprises to dry overnight before you use them.

Spray Glue
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup white school glue
small spray bottle
optional: Add food coloring to the glue/water mixture to create colored spray glue.

1. Mix the glue and water in a bowl.
2. Pour it into the spray bottle (a small funnel helps)
3. Before each use, shake the bottle to remix it.

Another use: Use it to put a shiny finish on dried clay sculptures.

Glass Paint
(For holidays or just plain fun)
Equal amounts of:
White school glue
Liquid tempera paint

1. Mix the glue and paint together in a bowl.
2. Paint your glass pieces or windows with the paint using a paint brush, let dry overnight.

Let the kids show thier creativity by decorating old bottles, jars and vases. Windows can be decorated for the holidays.

To Remove: A grown-up can remove with a razor blade after the holiday is over.

Secret Message Paint
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon baking soda
4-5 drops of food coloring
A paintbrush and paper

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of the water with the baking soda in a small plastic container.
2. Mix, in a seperate small plastic container, the other 1 tablespoon of water with the food coloring.

To create the secret message:
Dip a paintbrush into the baking soda/water mixture and wrtie your message on a piece of paper. Let dry completely.

To read your secret message:
Dip a paintbrush into your colored water and paint over the secret message to reveal it.

Salty Pictures
2 tablespoons table salt
1/2 tablespoon powder tempera paint
White school paint
Ziplock bag
optional: add a little glitter to your bag

1. Pour the salt into a ziplock bag with the tempera paint. (you need one bag for each new color you decide to make)
2. Draw a picture on a piece of paper with the glue.
3. Sprinkle the salt paint on top of the glue, and then gently shake off any excess salt paint. (Shake off onto a plain piece of paper so you can fold the paper up and "funnel" it back into your bag)
4. Let the picture dry overnight before you touch it.

Other Uses: You can layer your salt paint in a small jar like a baby food jar to create "sand art".

Glittery Paint
1/4 cup corn syrup
4-5 drops of food coloring
1 tablespoon glitter

1. Stir the corn syrup and food coloring together in a small plastic cup or container.
2. Slooooowly stir in the glitter, to avoid clumping.
3. Paint your pictures using a paintbrush.
4. Let dry for 24 hours.

Tub/Body Paint
1/4 cup baby bath (the liquid kind)
2 drops of food coloring
1 Tablespoon of cornstarch

1. Mix the baby bath and cornstarch together until smooth.
2. Add the food coloring, stirring until well blended.
3. Pour it into a small resealable container - like a tupperware container.
4. When the kids take a bath, pour a small amount into a small cup or pour several different colors into a plastic ice cube tray (one color into each seperate cube holder)
5. Give them a small paintbrush to paint themselves or the side of the tub.