Homemade Clay Made Simple

This quick basic recipe is very easy to make and to use. It is soft and pliable for little hands to work with ease. Color, scent, and even glitter can be added to the recipe to make more interesting clay creations.

Basic Play Clay Recipe

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar

Heat, stirring constantly, until ball forms. Knead. Store in airtight container or plastic bag. Makes about 4 portions.

Add-Ins for Color

• Food coloring
• Kool-Aid
• Fruit-flavored Gelatin

Add-Ins for Scent

• Peppermint oil
• Lemon oil
• Vanilla extract
• Gingerbread: Ground Cinnamon & Ginger

Add-in for Sparkle

• Glitter

Gluten-Free Play Clay

For children who can’t tolerate gluten or food coloring, substitute rice flour for white flour and natural beet (red), spinach (green) or carrot (orange) juice for color.

Pumpkin Pie Play Clay

Large batch is perfect for your Halloween party!

• 5 1/2 Cups Flour
• 2 Cups Salt
• 8 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
• 3 1/2 Cup Oil
• 1 1/2 ounces Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Orange Food Coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
• 4 Cups Water

Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until dough forms. Knead dough until smooth.

EDIBLE CLAY RECIPES

These yummy edible clay recipes can be enjoyed as snack food after the creating is done!

Peanut Butter Play Clay

• Peanut butter
• Honey
• Dry powdered milk

raisins, peanuts, chocolate chips, coconut, sprinkles, pretzels (for decoration)

Mix equal parts peanut butter and dry milk. Slowly add honey to desired consistency. If too sticky, add more dry milk. If too dry, add more honey. Form clay into shapes or roll into balls to be served as cookies.

Easy Chocolate Play Clay

• One 16 oz. Container read-to-spread chocolate frosting
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Combine all ingredients and you are ready to play!

Chocolate Modeling Clay

The secret of pastry chefs for making tasty cake decorations!

• 10 oz. chocolate chips (or colored candy disks to create different colors)
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup

Heat chocolate carefully until melted, stir in corn syrup and blend. Pour onto a waxed paper sheet and spread to approx. ½ thick. Cover loosely and let stiffen for a couple of hours or overnight. Chocolate will become very pliable.

Use Your Play Clay Recipes to Make Party Favors

Basic play clay makes a great party favor too! Put a portion of clay in a plastic sealable bag along with a label with the party guest’s name, decorated with markers or stickers. Add a colorful cookie cutter or cut a 1/2 inch dowel into 4 inch lengths to serve as a little dough roller.

The Author:

Patricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast.

Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved

Photo. Kate Romeo