Homemade Art Supplies for Children

Have your kids ever been driving you crazy in the middle of the day "mommy I'm bored", "mommy I want to paint", and "mommy why can't we play with clay". These are just a few of the things I hear several times a week while I am trying to get some work done. So I came up with five simple recipies for various art supplies to save me from having to drive to the store with four kids and use the last of my money to purchase the same supplies. They also provide you with time to bond with your children, as you make them together.

FINGER PAINT
Supplies: 1/2 c. regular flour, 2c. water, 1tbs. glycerin, 1 tsp. borax, food coloring.
Instructions: Mix flour with water in a pan and heat over low heat until the mixture becomes clear. Remove, when the mixture is cool add borax and glycerin. You can then divide the mixture into sperate containers, bowls, cups, egg crates, and tint with food coloring. This is not safe for children to eat so please supervise your children while they play.

MODELING CLAY
Supplies: 1c. salt, 2c. flour, 1c. water, food coloring to tint.
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together for about  5 minutes and then it is ready to use. To keep the clay from drying out you can store it in tuperware containers.

CHALK
Supplies: 1/2 c. plaster of paris, almost 1/4 c. water, powdered tempera paint, mixing bowl, and an ice cube tray.
Instructions: Mix the plaster of paris and most of the water together, add 1-2 tbs. of tempera paint and mix well. Add enough water to thicken mixture. Pour into ice cube tray and let dry, then just pop it out and it is ready to use.

PAINT
Supplies: 2tbs. vinegar (white), 4tbs. baking soda, 2tbs. cornstarch, 1/2 tbs. glycerin, egg carton, and food coloring.
Instructions: Mix vinegar and baking soda together, add glycerin and mix well. When well mixed pour into the egg carton and add food coloring to tint. Let it set overnight to dry and then use as water colors in the morning.