“ARTY BABIES” IN POCKLINGTON

ENGAGING CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN MESSY PLAY

RECIPE FOR UNCOOKED SALT DOUGH

This is a very easy recipe and as the title says NO COOKING REQUIRED so wherever possible let the children mix it themselves.

You will need

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 cup water
• Poster paint
• Bowl
• Spoons

Method:

Mix poster paint with flour, salt and oil. Add the water gradually. Knead. (Occasionally leave the dough white so the children can paint it themselves).

Children will like to use rollers, biscuit cutters and basically anything unusual that that they can cut and make impressions with. Store dough in plastic bags or cleaned ice cream tubs. If it becomes sticky, add more flour. Dough can last for weeks if kept in the refrigerator. Small shapes of this mixture can be baked in a 350° oven for 45 minutes to make them hard.

Always wash utensil before the dough hardens.

Recipe makes enough for six children.

This saltdough was used as the base for making the nature gardens/sculptures.

Top Tips:

No need to buy expensive rolling pins just pop into your local DIY shop and purchase a straight forward standard wooden broom handle this will make approximately 6 x 10” rollers for very little cost.

If you explain what it’s for they may cut it into the correct lengths for you.

Biscuit cutters can also be expensive so to add to your cutters and shapes start collecting lids and handles etc from aerosol cans and shower gels and anything that looks interesting.

Scented oils, such as cloves, lavender and evergreen may be added to give a pleasant aroma.

ALWAYS CHECK FOR ALLERGIES

From Helen Steele, Arty Babies

Storycatch supported by City of York Council (Inclusive Arts, Arts & Culture) - July 2010