Kids Arts and Craft Recipes

Homemade Paste Recipe

This simple paste is useful for paper crafts, collage projects and paper mache practice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

1. Combine flour and water in a bowl.
2. Mix until smooth and creamy.
3. Store in an airtight container.

For a more durable paste, add 1/2 cup flour to 1 cup boiling water. Stir over low heat until thick and shiny. Let cool before kids use it.

Bookbinders Paste

Bookbinders paste is a thicker craft paste for paper projects, handmade books and sturdy paper crafts.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon alum powder
• 1/3 cup water

Directions

1. In the top of a double boiler, mix the dry ingredients.
2. Add water slowly, stirring out any lumps.
3. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat when the paste begins to thicken. It will thicken more as it cools.
5. Keep covered. Add a little water to thin when necessary.

How to Make Paper Mache

Paper mache is a classic kids craft recipe that uses strips of newspaper or paper towels dipped in a flour and water mixture. Once dry, kids can paint the finished shape.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 cups cold water
• Newspaper or paper towels, torn into 1-inch strips
• Balloon, bowl, wire form or other shape to cover

Directions

1. Mix the flour and cold water together in a bowl.
2. Tear newspaper or paper towels into strips.
3. Dip strips in water first, then dip them into the flour mixture.
4. Press the strip between your fingers to remove extra paste.
5. Place the moistened strips in thin layers over a balloon, bowl, wire form or other shape.
6. Let each layer dry before adding another layer.
7. Paint when completely dry.

Colored Sand

Ingredients

• 3 cups masonry sand
• 2 tablespoons liquid tempera paint

Directions

1. Mix the sand and liquid tempera paint together.
2. Spread the sand out and allow it to dry.
3. Stir occasionally as it dries.
4. Let dry about 24 hours before using.

For deeper colors, use more paint. If sand is not available, use salt instead.

Colored Sugar

Colored sugar can be used for cookie decorating, cupcake decorating or craft projects.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• Several drops food coloring
• Plastic zipper bag

Directions

1. Add sugar to a plastic bag.
2. Add several drops of food coloring.
3. Seal the bag and squeeze the mixture together until the color spreads through the sugar.
4. Spread out to dry if needed.

 

Colored Rock Salt

Colored rock salt is best for non-edible craft projects, sensory jars and decorative art.

Supplies

• Rock salt
• Food coloring
• Rubbing alcohol
• Bowl
• Towel or tray for drying

Directions

1. Place rock salt in a bowl.
2. Add food coloring.
3. Add rubbing alcohol and let sit about 10 minutes.
4. Drain on a towel and allow to dry.
5. Use for arts and craft projects only.

Non-Toxic Lava Lamp

Submitted by Jasmine from Massachusetts

Supplies

• Empty water bottle
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Food coloring
• Glitter

Directions

1. Fill an empty water bottle about 2/3 full with vegetable oil.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with water, leaving a little space at the top.
3. Add food coloring.
4. Add glitter.
5. Seal the bottle tightly and watch the colors move.

Egg Shell Chalk

Submitted by Dorinda from Wonewoc, WI

Ingredients

• 6 clean, dry eggshells
• 1 teaspoon hot tap water
• 1 teaspoon flour
• Tempera powdered paint, optional

Directions

1. Wash eggshells very well so no egg is left inside.
2. Dry them with a paper towel until completely dry.
3. Grind the eggshells into a fine powder using the back of a spoon, a clean rock, or a mortar and pestle.
4. Remove any large shell pieces that did not grind up.
5. Measure 1 tablespoon eggshell powder for one stick of chalk.
6. In a small bowl, stir flour and hot water together to make a paste.
7. Add the eggshell powder and mix well.
8. Add a small amount of tempera powdered paint if you want colored chalk.
9. Shape the mixture into a stick.
10. Roll it in a paper towel cut to fit the chalk.
11. Let dry in a safe place for about three days.
12. Peel the paper off one end and use the chalk outside.

Giant Chalk Stick

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons plaster of paris
• 2 tablespoons powdered tempera paint
• Wax paper cups
• Water

Directions

1. Mix paint powder and plaster powder in a paper cup.
2. Add water slowly to the dry mixture until creamy.
3. Stir well.
4. Wait about 1 hour until the chalk is hard.
5. Firmly tap the chalk out of the container.