Make Play Clay

Posted 2013-02-01 by Lucy ⇒ follow

Children (and many adults too) just love creating their very own sculptures and this recipe is the perfect texture for making crazy shapes and creatures. Play clay is similar to play dough however I prefer this recipe which uses cornflour, as it seems to make the consistency stronger. They really seem to enjoy watching the clay being made from scratch and the unique texture which is created in your very own kitchen. At the end of play, the sculptures will set and dry and should be quite long lasting.

As a parent, I enjoy watching the shapes that the children produce from this activity and the interesting subconscious ideas which come through. Allow plenty of time to let imaginations unfurl and unravel.

Play Clay Monster

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients ready

Materials
1 cup Cornflour
1/2 cup Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
3/4 cup cold water
5 Drops of Food Coloring

Clay dinosaur

Method

Mix together the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, also known as Baking soda) and the cornflour (both of these are readily available at low cost in any supermarket).

Add a few drops of your preferred food coloring, and the cold water and place on the stove in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until dissolved, then stir continuously so the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

When the mixture begins to "gather", turn off the heat. Be careful not to overcook the clay or it will become too dry and crumbly. Also be careful not to undercook the clay or it will turn into a sloppy mess.

Allow the mixture to cool, then knead it very well, until it becomes smooth and moldable. Ensure the clay is kept in a sealed container to stay fresh and soft.

Let the creativity run wild and have fun with this fun tactile activity.