Clay Time

Like safety scissors and nonspill paint jars, recipes for homemade clays have won over many a parent with a penchant for crafts. In addition to being less expensive than their store-bought counterparts, home varieties are often easier to manipulate, especially for children who are just learning to think in three dimensions. The ingredients, all common kitchen staples, take only minutes to mix, which means a near-instant project for your children and one less trip to the art store for you. There are dozens of such recipes (every art teacher has a favorite), but these four have the approval of many satisfied sculptors.

Valerie Kohn is an art educator at the Berkshire Museum and the Hancock Central School in Massachusetts.