Little fingers with limited
modeling experience will appreciate this dense, easy-to-shape dough. The
mixture's high salt content gives it a grainy texture and a sparkly
white
color, ideal for dyeing with food coloring or decorating with tempera
paints.
MATERIALS
1 cup salt
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Food coloring or tempera paints (optional)
Heat the salt and 1/3 cup of water over medium-high heat for
about
4 minutes, stirring occasionally. (An adult should prepare this
mixture,
which gets quite hot and bubbly.) Remove from heat and add the
cornstarch
and 1/4 cup cold water. The mixture should now look like thick mashed
potatoes;
stir until it thickens, then let cool for a few minutes before kneading.
If the dough feels too sticky at first, your child can work in some
extra
cornstarch as she kneads. Add food coloring, if desired.
WHAT TO MAKE:
When dry, this dough is heavy and durable, which makes it excellent
for larger items, such as candlesticks, small bowls, trivets or a
lasting
impression of your child's hand. Cornstarch Clay's sticky consistency is
also a plus when sculpting figures: A tail or head easily attaches to a
body with a gentle push. One batch of dough is enough to make a slew of
snowmen ornaments, Noah's ark figures or dollhouse characters.
DRYING TIME:
1 to 4 days
STORAGE:
Cornstarch Clay will keep unrefrigerated for up to 2 weeks
when
stored with a small bit of wet sponge in a plastic bag or sealed container.
