With summer just around the corner, we know you’re busy researching the best activities to keep your kids entertained. From sports camps to dance lessons, it’s not always easy to budget in as much fun as you’d like–especially if you have a houseful of kids! But there are many ways to fill those long summer days with both fun and inexpensive activities.
To help make an art project more playful, we’ve come up with five of the best edible and gooey objects you and your kids can make together. With just a few of your most basic pantry items, and a clear space to get messy in, you can plan on sharing a lot of laughs (and snacks) over these crafts.
- Colored Playdough
Colored playdough is the simplest craft for kids with big imaginations. To make it, mix 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 1 package of unsweetened Jell-O or Kool-Aid. Put all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until it thickens to the consistency of dough. Then let it cool and knead with floured hands. The leftover playdough can be stored in an airtight container, for multiple uses.
Cream Cheese Playdough
The recipe for cream cheese playdough sounds almost too good to give to your kids! Put an 8-ounce package of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of powdered milk and 1 tablespoon of honey in a bowl and mix well. Show your kids how to design and mold sculptures, using crackers, carrot sticks and/or celery. Kids can either eat it up after or, if you plan on keeping it, put it in an airtight container and make note of the expiration date on the container.
Peanut Butter Clay*
If your kid isn’t a fan of the cream cheese playdough, she might love peanut butter clay, instead. Stir together 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1 1/2 cups of powdered milk and 3 tablespoons of honey. Knead until the dough is smooth and construct with it exactly as you would have with the cream cheese playdough.
*Note: This should not be made around any child with a peanut allergy.
Slime
There’s always one kid in every family who loves to make a mess. If you have someone like this in your household, green edible slime may be the best craft to let them have some fun. Simply put a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into a saucepan and cook on low heat while stirring. Once the slime thickens, remove it from heat and add a dozen drops of green food coloring. Let it cool then let your kids go wild!
Lip Gloss
Did you know that it’s just as easy to make lip gloss as it is to buy it? Let your kid pick out her favorite flavor of Kool-Aid and choice of food coloring. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening with 1 teaspoon of honey. In a second bowl, mix 1/4 cup of boiling water with the package of Kool-Aid. Combine the two bowls then add food coloring until your kid is happy with the final color. Put in a plastic tube, like a film container, and put it in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Your kid will be licking it off her lips in no time!
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What are some of your favorite DIY summer activities? Share them below!
