For the independent modeler, this simple dough recipe is the natural choice. There's no cooking on a hot stove, and the more your child squishes, tugs, and pounds it, the more this pliable stuff cooperates. Suitable for either dying or painting, this dough has a distinctly homemade look when dry.

Materials

1 cup flour
3/8 cup salt
3/8 cup hot tap water
Food coloring (optional)

Have your child combine the flour and the salt in a medium bowl, then pour in the hot water and stir well. Knead on a floured board for at least five minutes, working in food coloring if desired.

WHAT TO MAKE: No-cook dough's sturdiness makes it a winner for molding chunky beads or small figures (large ones have a tendency to crack during drying). The recipe also rolls out nicely with a rolling pin; your child can cut the flattened dough with a butter knife or cookie cutters, creating shapes that make great holiday ornaments, pendants, pins, and refrigerator magnets.

DRYING TIME: Depending on the thickness of the dough, air-drying will take anywhere from one to five days. Small or thin shapes can be dried more quickly by baking them on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees for about two hours.

STORAGE: No-cook Dough will keep for up to a week when refrigerated in plastic bags or containers.