How to Make Clay -
Homemade Clay Recipes

Air Hardening Modeling Clay

2 cups baking soda
1 cup cornstarch (cornflour)
1.5 cups cold water
(makes about 2 pounds - the recipe can be halved).

Baking soda and cornstarch make a smooth, pliable play clay that can be colored with everyday food coloring - or left white and painted once it hardens. When you have made your model, leave it to air dry - turning every 12 hours or so.

Place ingredients in a pan and stir until smooth. Set the pan over a medium heat and stir until boiling. Stir out any lumps and cook until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes.

Turn out onto a plate and cover with a damp, well-wrung kitchen towel - let cool. Dust a work surface with cornstarch and knead until pliable.

If the results are too sticky, add more flour. To flakey and dry? Add a little more water.

If you want colored clay, add food coloring or tempera paint. If you want all the dough the same colour, just add the coloring to the water. If you want different colored batches then make up the dough first, divide into portions and knead in the colors separately. This will give you more of a marbled effect.

Store in an airtight container and keep in a cool place. It should keep for a couple of months. If mold develops - it's time for a new batch!

Note: The cream of tartar in the recipes is optional, but it does help with the elasticity. You can find in the the store with the baking ingredients (usually with the baking powder and bicarb).

2 cups of plain/all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 cup cold water
1 tbspn oil (vegetable oil is fine - baby oil smells lovely).

Drop the ingredients into a plastic bag and seal. Let the children knead them together inside the bag - then tip it out for modeling fun.

Just measure everything into a bowl and mix together.

2 cups plain/all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups of water

Put all dry ingredients in a saucepan. Add water, oil and color. cook slowly and stir all the time. As it gets hot it will begin to thicken up. Knead on a floured surface.

Alternatively, microwave on high for up to 6 minutes. Remove frequently and stir. Knead on a floured surface.

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