Keeping the Kids Busy Day Two

Bubbles

Yeah I know it’s weird to suggest this in the winter but that’s actually just the reason I’m going to!  Kids love things that are out of the norm – I used to save some snow in the freezer for a hot summer day and bubbles on a cold wintery one are just as much fun.  You may not be able to do this outside depending on the weather but in the bathtub or the garage or some other place that is safe (you don’t want the bubbles landing on your good upholstery and perhaps destroying it) can be lots of fun.

Stir together 2 cups water, 1/3 cup dish soap (Joy works the best), 6 T. glycerin, 1 tsp. corn syrup, (food colouring is optional).  Use a bubble wand or one of those wire thingies they put in an egg decorating kit at Easter or make your own by winding wire around a skewer or chopstick.

Play Dough

Combine 2 1/2 cups water and about 8 drops of food colouring in a pan and stir well to get a nice even colour.  Add 1 cup salt, 2 cups flour, 2 T. cooking oil, and 2 T. cream of tartar.  Stir constantly while heating until the mixture forms into a soft ball of dough.  Cool until you can handle it and knead until smooth.  Keep in an airtight container between uses.  Note:  Instead of food colouring, sometimes I would use a packet of Koolaid – makes a nice colour and scent.

Tasty Play Dough

Beat together a container of white frosting with 1 cup smooth peanut butter until it’s well blended.  Knead in some icing sugar if the dough is sticky.  This dough is perfectly safe for eating and fun to play with too!

Finger Paint

This finger paint has a bit of a shine to it when it dries.

Combine 1 envelope of unflavoured gelatin with 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until the gelatin has softened.  Combine 1/2 cup cornstarch and 3 cups water in a pan.  Bring this to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened.  Stir in the gelatin and continue stirring until it dissolves.

Divide this mixture up into some small jars so that you can add a different colour of food colouring to each.  Will keep in the fridge for about 3-5 days.