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Kitchen Cupboard Crafts

These recipes are a life saver on a rainy day as all the ingredients are in your kitchen cupboard.

Salt Dough Recipe

Ingredients
4cups flour
1 cup salt
1-2 cups hot water
2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300F/200C/Gas Mark 6. Dissolve salt in hot water. Add water to flour, mix well and knead with hands. (add glitter or food colouring if desired). Knead until soft elastic non-sticky dough. Add more flour if too sticky. Roll, mould or use cutters to make shapes. When dough creation is finished place on lined baking tray and cook for up to 1hr until dough begins to brown. Alternatively cook in microwave 10 seconds at a time until hard. Cooking time depends on size of piece, smaller pieces work best. When cooled creations can be painted or varnished.

Playdough Recipe

This is an excellent playdough recipe which is fun to make and never fails to provide amusement on a rainy afternoon!

Ingredients
2 cups plain flour
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cup water with food coloring added

Instructions

Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Blend water and oil together in a bowl. Add to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the dough forms into a ball. (Food colouring or 2 teaspoons of vanilla/almond or peppermint essence can be added for colour or scent if desired.) Allow to cool, and then knead until smooth.

Store in an airtight container for up to three months.

Bread Clay

Wondering what to do with that stale bread? Make bread clay!

Ingredients
6 slices withe bread
6 tablespoons white glue
1/2 teaspoon washing up liquid

Instructions

Remove the crusts (save for the birds to eat). Combine the bread and the glue until smooth and then add the washing up liquid. (Add food colouring if desired) Shape and let dry for 24 hours before painting.

No Fuss Play Dough

Ingredients
1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Food coloring

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together water, salt, oil and a few drops of food coloring. Mix flour and cornstarch and add 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly (you may need a little more or a little less than 2 cups flour so make sure you stir in until it is the right consistency). Knead for a few minutes with flour on your hands.

Bubble Recipe

Ingredients
1 cup washing up liquid
12 cups water
1 Tablespoon Glycerine

Instructions

Gently stir the ingredients together (avoid making a lot of foam) and store in a sealed container overnight (the works better when settled).

Soft water is good for bubbles. Any water containing high levels of iron is bad for bubbles. To get the best mixture, try using distilled water.

Rockets!

Ingredients
1 empty camera film case
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Instructions

Mix the water and vinegar together and fill up to a quarter level of the film case. Add bicarbonate of soda and really quickly put on lid and place on floor lid side down. Stand well back .......blast off!

Play around with the mixture until you get it's explosive powers just right! To make it look like a rocket stick paper around the sides and decorate. My kids don't bother as they don't go so high when weighed down with paper.

Note: Adult supervision required. Must do this outdoors in an open space. DO NOT look over the rocket before it has fired.

For other great activities for the kids go to http://www.b4school.co.uk