As you’ve probably guessed by now, I like to make things from scratch. If my kids express interest in something, my first thought is, “I wonder if I could make that at home for less?”
I’ve had many successes, and also some failures (cornstarch clay = gross), and in all of my trial and error, I’ve found some recipes that really are every bit as good, and sometimes even better than store bought (not to mention much cheaper)! I’ve given these recipes to many of my friends, and now I’d like to pass them on to you.
Soap Crayons
1 C unscented soap flakes, or 1 bar Ivory soap, grated
2 Tbsp hot water
Liquid food coloring
Mix soap and hot water in a plastic bowl, then divide into small bowls, one for each color. Add 12 drops liquid food coloring to each bowl. Stir mixture until it thickens and becomes hard to stir. Scoop up by the tablespoonful and roll into thick log shapes. Short, fat crayons are sturdier than long skinny ones. My kids actually prefer to press the mixture into cookie cutters so they have fun shapes. Let dry 1-2 days.
Slime
2 cups Elmer’s glue
2 cups water
1 tsp Borax (you can get this at Wal-Mart)
Liquid food coloring
Pour glue into a mixing bowl. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups of water and several drops of food coloring (we use green and yellow so it looks really gross). In another bowl, dissolve Borax in 1/2 cup of water. Add dissolved borax to glue mixture, and knead for 10 minutes, until slime separates between your fingers (it makes kind of a burping noise which my daughter thinks is hilarious). Let slime condense in an airtight container overnight before playing. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Finger Paint
2 cups cold water
3 tsp sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 Tbsp light corn syrup
Liquid food coloring
Small bowls or jars with lids
In a small pot, stir water, sugar and cornstarch. Whisk over low heat for 5 minutes until mixture is thick and clear. Stir in corn syrup. Pour paint into small, lidded containers. Add a few drops of food coloring to each and shake until each color is well mixed.
Silly Putty
1 cup Elmer’s glue
1 1/2 cups liquid starch (you can get this at Wal-Mart in the laundry soap aisle)
Liquid food coloring
Mix glue and starch in a bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring. Cover bowl and let stand a few hours. Pour off extra starch. Knead well. Store in a covered container.
Last, but certainly not least, homemade play dough. You can get my recipe here.
Have fun!
(This article from 3/13/08 is being reprinted, by request 
