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Are you frustrated when store bought play clay dries out? Tired of buying something that seems so simple to make? With several household ingredients, you can save money and create a fun activity. Clay can be made a variety of ways. While no-cook clays are mixed up quickly, cooked clays last longer. Clays can also be made with several different ingredients, including flour, cornstarch, white bread, and even Kool-Aid. Stop being frustrated and start having fun while making clay!
Steps
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Gather the ingredients. You'll need:- 1 cup salt
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Food coloring, optional
- 2 cups boiling water
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Mix the dry ingredients. Stir together the salt, flour, and cream of tartar in a large bowl until they're well mixed.Advertisement
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Add the oil and food coloring, if using. Make a well in the middle of your dry ingredients and pour the oil and food color in the center.
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Pour in the boiling water. Pour the water over all the ingredients in your bowl and stir the mixture well. You may not need to put all the water in.
- Use caution when heating the water and pouring the boiling liquid.
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Let the clay rest for a few minutes. This will allow the flour to absorb some of the water and let the clay set up.
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Knead the flour until smooth. Remove the clay from the bowl and form it into a ball. Knead it for a few minutes until the clay is smooth.
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Store in an airtight container. If you store dyed clay in a plastic container, be aware that the clay may stain. The dough should keep for a few weeks, if sealed well. [1] X Research source
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Gather the ingredients. You'll need:
- 5 cups water
- 2 1/2 cups salt
- 3 tablespoons cream of tartar
- food coloring, optional
- 10 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 5 cups flour
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Combine water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring, if using. Place them in a large saucepan and stir till well combined.
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Cook the mixture. Stir the mixture constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture is hot. Then, stir in the vegetable oil.
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Gradually add the flour. Add one cup of flour at a time and stir really well after each cup you add. The mixture will be sticky and shaggy. Just keep stirring.
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Keep stirring till clay forms. The dough will start pulling away from the side of the pan. Turn off the heat and scoop the clay onto a dry surface.
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Let the clay cool. Once the clay is cool enough to handle, knead the clay until it's smooth. [2] X Research source
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Store in an airtight container.Cooked clay can keep for several months, if well sealed. [3] X Research source
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Gather the ingredients. You'll need:
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- food coloring, optional
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Combine the cornstarch and baking soda. Stir them together in a saucepan.
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Add the water, vegetable, and food coloring, if using. Stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined and smooth.
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Cook the mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook until the mixture starts to look a bit dry. Stir constantly to keep the mixture from sticking.
- When the mixture starts to look like dry mashed potatoes, it's finished cooking.
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Scoop the clay onto a plate to cool. Once the clay has clumped together in the saucepan, remove it from heat and transfer it to a plate.
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Let the clay cool. Once the clay is cool enough to handle, knead the clay until it's smooth. [4] X Research source
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Store in an airtight container.Cooked clay can keep for several months, if well sealed. [5] X Research source
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Gather the ingredients. You'll need:
- 2 slices white bread
- 4 tablespoons white glue
- Paint for coloring, optional.
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Remove the crusts. Cut or tear off the crusts from the bread and throw the crusts away.
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Tear the bread into small pieces. Smaller pieces of bread will make kneading the clay easier. Place your bread pieces in a small bowl.
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Add the glue. Mix the bread and glue together thoroughly with a large spoon.
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Add food coloring, optional. Add a couple of drops and stir well. Always add small amounts until you get the desired color.
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Put a glove on one hand. The glove will keep your hand clean and dry.
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Transfer clay to a bowl. When the bread clay starts to form into a mass, remove it from the bowl. Knead it with the gloved hand until it stops being sticky.
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Remove the glove. Knead the clay ball with both hands. When it forms a ball, it's ready for using in your project.
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Store in an airtight container. Clay can keep for a few weeks, if well sealed and kept in the refrigerator.
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Gather the ingredients. You'll need:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
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Combine flour, salt, and Kool-Aid powder. Stir the ingredients in a large bowl.
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Mix boiling water and vegetable oil. In a separate bowl, stir together the boiling water and vegetable oil until mostly combined.
- Use caution when heating and pouring boiling water.
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Stir the water mixture into the dry mixture. Mix the dry and wet ingredients till completely combined and smooth.
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Let the clay cool. When the clay has cooled to the touch, remove it from the bowl and knead until it's totally smooth.
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Store in an airtight container. If you store dyed clay in a plastic container, be aware that the clay may stain. The dough should keep for a few weeks, if sealed well.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIs there a substitute I can use for cream of tartar?Community AnswerOnly if the recipe has baking soda and cream of tartar, then you can use baking powder to replace both.
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QuestionWhat should I do if my clay dries out?Community AnswerOnce your clay dries out there's nothing you can do. You will have to make a new batch.
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QuestionDo I have to use boiling water or can it just be hot water from the sink?Community AnswerThe water from the sink will probably not be hot enough. If you are a kid, ask an adult for help boiling the water.
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Tips
- If you don't want to use food coloring, consider painting dough that's hardened.Thanks
- Try adding glitter or scented oils to mix up your clay. Keep in mind, you may not want to add these if small children will be playing with the clay.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Saucepans
- Gloves
- Large spoon
- Plastic cover/wrap
- Sealed container for longer term storage
References
- ↑ http://artfulparent.com/2012/02/no-cook-versus-cooked-homemade-playdough-recipe.html
- ↑ http://artfulparent.com/2010/12/candy-cane-playdough.html
- ↑ http://artfulparent.com/2012/02/no-cook-versus-cooked-homemade-playdough-recipe.html
- ↑ http://www.argostarch.com/Recipe/Play_Clay
- ↑ http://artfulparent.com/2012/02/no-cook-versus-cooked-homemade-playdough-recipe.html
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 349,537 times.
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