Wacky Kid Concoctions

Wacky Watercolors

Put a stop to kids' complaints of "there's nothing to do!" with just a little imagination and a few household ingredients, you can create do-it-yourself art supplies that will keep little hands and minds busy for hours.

Wacky Watercolors

Materials and Tools:

3 Tbs. baking soda
3 Tbs. cornstarch
3 Tbs. white vinegar
1-1/2 tsp. light corn syrup
food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix vinegar, baking soda, cornstarch and corn syrup together in a small bowl.

2. Divide the mixture into several small plastic tubs or jar lids.

3. Add six to eight drops of food coloring to each tub or lid then mix.

4. Use Wacky Watercolors as they are or let them dry into hard cakes of paint. If you use them while they're dry, be sure to wet the paintbrush before painting.

Goofy Glass Paint

Goofy Glass Paint

Materials and Tools:

1/4 cup white school glue
1/4 cup liquid tempera paint

Steps:

1. Mix glue and tempera paint in a small bowl.

2. Use a paintbrush to apply the paint to a glass surface.

3. Let the painted items dry overnight.

Freezer Pop Paint

Materials and Tools:

2 tsp. powdered tempera paint
1/3 cup water
wax-coated paper cup
craft stick
plastic wrap

Steps:

1. Mix powdered tempera paint and water together.

2. Pour the mixture into a wax coated paper cup.

3. Cover the cup with plastic wrap, then insert the craft stick through the plastic wrap in the center of the cup.

4. Place the cup in the freezer and freeze until solid.

5. Remove the paper cup and plastic wrap from the Freeze Pop Paint.

6. Dip the Freeze Pop Paint into water and paint on white paper.

Bathtub fingerpaints

Bathtub Finger Paints

Materials and Tools:

1/3 cup clear mild liquid dish detergent
1 Tbs. cornstarch
food coloring
ice cube tray

Steps:

1. Mix liquid dish detergent and cornstarch together in a small bowl until blended .

2. Pour the mixture, in equal parts, into several sections of a plastic ice cube tray.

3. Add one to two drops of food coloring to each section of the tray and mix with a small spoon.

Sand Castle Clay

Sand Castle Clay

Materials and Tools:

1 cup sand
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup liquid starch
old pot
sand castle mold

Steps:

1. Combine sand and cornstarch in an old pot.

2. Add liquid starch and mix.

3. Cook the mixture over medium heat while stirring constantly. Eventually, the mixture will thicken and turn to dough.

4. Remove the pot from the stove and let the clay cool.

5. Remove clay from the pot and knead it for 20 to 30 seconds before using.

Woody wood dough

Woody Wood Dough

Materials and Tools:

1 cup clean, well-sifted sawdust
1/2 cup flour
1 Tbs. liquid starch
1 cup water
sandpaper
cookie cutters or candy molds

Steps:

1. Mix ingredients together in a bowl until a stiff dough is formed. Add extra water if dough is too dry.

2. Allow the dough to dry for two or three days. Sandpaper can be used to smooth the dough after it is completely dry.

3. Press the dough into cookie cutters and candy molds to create paperweights, beads or holiday tree ornaments.