Simple Snow Day Crafts for Kids

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

17 Jan 2009 08:27 AM

For parents, who have been affected by this week's dangerously cold Artic blast, today marks the third day in a row that your kids have been cooped up indoors. By now your sanity may be as compromised as your video library.

If so, you might consider the following simple craft ideas. They may not be as liberating as a sunny 80 degree day, but they will keep your kids busy for a few hours and perhaps preserve the last remaining hairs on your head.

EDIBLE PLAY-DOH

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 cups warm water

1 cup salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

Food coloring

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together (except for the food coloring), and stir over low heat. Allow dough to thicken until it looks like mashed potatoes. When the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot and clumps in the center, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle. If the dough feels too sticky, just cook it a little longer.

Place dough onto a clean counter or silicone mat, and knead vigorously until it becomes silky-smooth.

Divide the dough into balls for coloring. Add food coloring. Work the dye through, adding more as necessary to achieve your desired color.

The dough is now ready to play with and is completely edible.

CRAYON CUPCAKES

Materials:

Broken crayons with wrappers removed

Muffin Tin or silicone ice cube tray

Paper muffin cups

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place broken crayon pieces into separate muffin cups in your muffin tin. Fill about 3/4 full.

Place muffin tin in oven. Check on crayons every five minutes. Remove once completely melted. Let cool.

Once "cupcakes" are cool, pop the molds out and begin to color.

HOMEMADE PLAY-DOH

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1/3 cup salt

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup water

7 drops food coloring

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients with oil. Add food coloring to water and mix together. Add water to flour/salt/oil mixture slowly (about 1/4 cup at a time). Mix together with a spoon. Once you've added all the water, knead the dough with your hands and you are ready to mold.

Related Articles:

Sweet Treats to Make on a Snow Day

Simple Winter Boredom Busters for Kids

Making Cute Candy Snowmen

Easy Winter Craft Idea

Making Paper Plate Snowmen

Winter Crafts

Making Homemade Holiday Gifts

Winter Crafts for Kids: Cards and Ornaments

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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