Play Clay With Baking Soda
Make this clay and let your children's imagination go wild. The clay hardens as it dries for a lasting keepsake. To get started, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of baking soda
- 1 cup of cornstarch
- 1 1/4 cups of cold water
- Food coloring (optional)
Mix the baking soda and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add water and stir to mix the ingredients, then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10 to 15 minutes. Add food coloring to the water to make the colored clay. Don't overcook the mixture. The clay should have the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove the clay to a plate. Cover the clay with a damp cloth while it cools.
Make the clay ahead of time and store it for up to one week. Keep it refrigerated in a plastic container, but bring the clay to room temperature before using.
Three Ways to Dry Play Clay Art
Air: Set the clay on a wire rack overnight.
Oven: Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off the oven, and then place the finished objects on a cooking sheet. Leave them in until the oven is cold.
Microwave: Place objects on a paper towel, bake them at medium power for 30 seconds, turn over, and bake them for another 30 seconds. Repeat until the clay is dry.
More Play Clay Projects
Jewelry: Shape beads for a necklace by rolling Play Clay into oval or round shapes. Press a toothpick through to make holes for stringing.
String Play Clay beads on thread, shoelaces, yarn, kite string, or fishing line. Tie knots between the beads to hold them in place.
To make an earring or brooch, create small shapes with a flat backside, and glue them to earring or pin backings.
: Make fancy napkin rings by rolling out a long, narrow rectangle of clay, then piecing the ends together into a ring. Use cookie cutters to make tree ornaments. While the ornament is still wet, make a hole near the top for hanging. Add an ornament hook or ribbon to hang the ornament.
Play Clay Finishing Touches: Paint dry pieces with watercolor, poster, or acrylic paints. Draw with felt-tip pen or waterproof marker. Apply glitter to wet paint. Smooth rough or cracked edges with an emery board. Protect finished Play Clay objects with clear acrylic spray or clear nail polish.
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