A Few Old-Fashioned Fun Things

There are just too many toxic chemicals in some of the things that our children play with. They are also very expensive. Here are a few safe products that will delight your youngster for hours.

Play dough:

• 3 cups flour
• 1-1/2 cups salt
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 2 tbs. oil
• food coloring

Mix all together.
Divide into small portions and add food coloring for the color you want.
If too moist, add more flour.
Store in covered containers and keep cool. Not to be eaten, just played with.

Finger paint:

• 3 tbs. sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups cold water
• food coloring

Mix sugar and cornstarch in pan.
Add water; stir.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mixture will boil, then thicken.
Cook about 5 mins. Remove from heat; cool.
Separate into 4-5 cups.
Add food coloring a drop at a time.
Add a drop of dish detergent in each cup to make clean-up a breeze.
Paint onpaper, cardboard, or posterboard.

Soap bubbles:

• 1/2 cup dish detergent
• 5 cups cold water
• 2 tbs. sugar

Mix gently and pour into bottles. Makes great bubbles.

Face paint:

• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. cold cream
• food coloring

In each cup, mix the ingredients. Add a drop or two of food coloring, a different color for each cup.
Stir and paint to the delight of all your children and their friends.

Brings back some fond memories, doesn't it? ENJOY!

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2003 February
Arleen Kaptur may be contacted at http://www.arleenssite.com/ akaptur@centurytel.net. Click here to view more of their articles.
Author of numerous novels, cookbooks, and articles in both magazines, and on the internet. Simple rustic living - life is good!