| --- Hardening Playdough --- |
| -------- Play Clay -------- |
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Hardening Play Dough
Mix the ingredients. Stir in the water a little at a time, using only enough to make a dough of modeling consistency. This kind of dough hardens more satisfactorily when objects molded from it are allowed to air-dry. Coloring can be added to the clay, or the animal models can be painted after they are dried.
Young children love to roll out snakes. Help them to prick eyes in the snake with a toothpick.
Older children will enjoy rolling, pinching, and patting the clay into more complicated animals.
Various materials can be added to create special features. For example, a walnut shell makes a convincing back for a turtle, and a length of rickrack trim suggests the pointed scales on a dragons back.
Play Clay 
1/2 cup table salt (do not use rock or sea salt)
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 drops food coloring (optional)
1. Mix the salt and hot water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Place the cold water in a small bowl and stir in the cornstarch; mix well. Add the food coloring if desired.
3. Add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling water and stir vigorously to keep it from lumping up. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is stiff.
4. Remove from the heat and, using a large spoon, carefully turn turn the mixture onto a bread board. Let cool, then knead until smooth. Use immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. If desired, clay models can be preserved by air-drying at room temperature for 3 days or by baking for 2 hours at 200 F.
5. To make Christmas tree decoration, roll out the dough 1/4 inch thick, then use cookie cutters to make a variety of shapes. Using a toothpick, make a hole at the top of each one where a string or wire can be inserted. Bake at 200 F for 2 hours decorate as desired.
from the Readers Digest - Practical Problem Solver
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