"Mom I Am Bored" - With Craft and Arts Recipes Added

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With kids on off school on summer vacation, it can be difficult to keep them entertained . When the weather is nice, they can play outside but when it is raining, what is there to do? Lets face it, they really do not need to be viewing so much TV. We all want our children to be creative and learn as they play but lets face it…these toys can be expensive. Homemade Arts and Crafts are so much fun for kids. They are easy on the environment because you do not have all that packaging to throw into the landfill. They love to finger paint and make things from play dough. There are many recipes to make these things yourself at home and they can even be made by the kids themselves with adult supervision. They are very inexpensive and the rewards are seen in the faces of the kids. Kids just love to make these kinds of thing and they will play and respect it more if they do help make it. These are just a few easy and quick recipes that you can make at home. Have fun with your children. Help them to learn and be creative. Why not start today? You probably have everything you need in the pantry. A simple solution to the mess is to put down on the floor, an old shower curtain. It will eliminate the mess in the floor and they will have plenty of room to play. You may want to make sure that they have “play” clothes on if you are dying the paints or doughs. Finger Paints (Every kid loves to finger paint) 1 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup soap flakes melted with 1/2 cup boiling water Juice dyes (see below) Make your own soap flakes by grating a bar of homemade hand soap (castile and ivory soap work well also) until you have 1/3 of a cup of soap flakes. Combine the cornstarch, water, and melted soap in a bowl. Stir to blend. Let the mixture set until it has become thick. Divide into separate bowls. Then just stir in juice dyes for color. Play Dough ( Even adults can be creative with play dough) 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 1 cup water 2 tablespoons oil 2 tablespoons cream of tartar Stir together flour, cream of tartar, salt and oil, and slowly add water. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until dough becomes stiff. Spread onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until it reaches a good play dough consistency. Simple Play Dough ( Great for smaller kids) 2 cups baking soda 1 1/2 cups water 1 cup cornstarch Mix with a fork until smooth. Boil over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat and carefully spread on wax paper, cookie sheet or a plate until cool. Time to have fun and be creative. To Add Color or Scent For an added personal touch to your projects , you could try adding color and/or fragrance. These additions are food-based and fun! It is so easy to add Color: Juice Dyes Experiment with different foods: try berries, beets, walnut hulls, cranberries, or tea. Combine 1/4 cup of the food material with 2 cups of water and simmer over low heat for an hour. Strain if necessary and store in a covered, glass jar. You can also use the juice from canned beets, which requires no cooking. Straight turmeric mixed into a paste with a little water will give you a vibrant yellow hue. Once you have your dyes prepared, add to finger paints or divide your play dough into balls and knead in color. Be warned that some of these can stain clothes though. You Can Even Add Scent: This is so easy to do and the kids just love to play with things that smell yummy. You simply add a few drops of flavor extract, vanilla or peppermint extract for example, from your spice cupboard. I do not suggest that you add cinnamon as it can burn the little ones eyes.