Homemade Craft Supplies
Courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World
It’s no wonder why play dough and finger paints are favorites in the classroom—kids love getting messy and creative. You can make these beloved hands-on activities healthier for your students and the earth by creating your own nontoxic, totally natural versions. Simply combine a few simple, inexpensive ingredients and create alternative putty and paint that your students will love to get their fingers in.
Earth-Friendly Gloop (open/close)
Earth-Friendly Gloop
Kids love to squeeze this oozy, blobby version of play dough through their fingers. Have them wear smocks and work in an easy-to-clean area.
- A few drops natural food or juice coloring (see directions below)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cornstarch
Add food coloring to water and mix with cornstarch in a bowl. Children can then squeeze and prod the gloop. Store in a covered container; revive periodically from drying out with a bit of water.
Super-Safe Finger Paint (open/close)
Super-Safe Finger Paint
- 1/3 cup soap flakes melted with ½ cup boiling water
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/3 cup cold water
- A few drops of juice dyes (see directions below)
Make your own soap flakes by grating a bar of homemade hand soap until you have 1/3 cup of it. Combine with the cornstarch, cold water and melted soap in a bowl. Stir to blend. Let the mixture set until it’s thick. Divide into separate bowls and stir in juice dyes.
To make your own juice dyes:
- Blueberries and red onionskins make purple
- Cranberries and beets make red
- Turmeric makes yellow
- Paprika and coffee make brown
Combine ¼ cup of the food with 2 cups of water. Simmer over low heat for an hour. Cool, strain and use. Add to finger paints or play dough.
