Oh, Brother!

This smooth play clay is inexpensive, quick to make, and perfect for imaginative minds like yours. And of course, it’s another chance to have a messy time!
Create sculptures or beads from the dough, let them harden overnight and they’ll be ready to paint and decorate.

Here’s the stuff you’ll need:
-2 cups baking soda
-1 cup cornstarch
-1 1/4 cups water
-Saucepan
-Candy coloring (optional) Available where cake decorations are sold. Food coloring also works
-Acrylic paints and brushes (optional)

Here’s the fun:
1-Place the baking soda, cornstarch, and water in the saucepan. An adult should stir the mixture over low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and continue stirring.
2. When the mixture takes on a mashed-potato consistency, it’s ready for play. If you’d like, separate it into small batches and color each batch with a few drops of candy coloring. If you leave the clay natural, you can let it dry for about 12 hours and paint it with acrylics.

Tips:
-For sculptures, put a small lump of clay in the barrel of a garlic press and squeeze to make long hair to plop on a monster head.
-For beads, roll small ball shapes in your hands and poke a hole through each one with a skewer. When hard, string on a bit of elastic.

CRAFT TALK
There are so many uses for baking soda. Talk about ways your family uses it. I add it to my muffin recipes to make the muffins rise, and sprinkle it on my toothbrush occasionally to brighten my teeth.