How to Keep a 5-Year-Old Girl Busy

It's important to make the most of the tail end of those formative years. Whether you've got a busy little boy or girl--5-year-olds need not be the challenge they first appear. This "busy project" combines the best of learning and fun and a little bit of messy in a way your child is bound to love.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 large mixing bowl
• Wax paper
• 1 cup measuring device
• Cookie cutters of your choice
• Rolling pin
• Medium saucepan
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• Food coloring of your choice
• Plastic air-tight container or gallon plastic resealable bag

1. Combine and mix the above ingredients and cook in a medium saucepan over low heat until the mixture thickens to near clay-like consistency. Remember, food coloring will stain skin and clothing, so be aware of your attire. While mixing is the fun part and a kid-friendly task, be sure to keep children away from open flame and hot pans. This step requires supervision and adult assistance.
2. Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool slightly before placing in the air-tight container or plastic resealable bag. This step is reserved for adults only. Remember to use caution since the clay may contain hot spots, even though the outside layer feels cool to the touch. If clay does not cool quickly enough to be handled, use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scoop mixture into desired container.
3. Allow clay to cool in refrigerator for a couple of hours. If making multiple batches, this is a good time to start another batch of a different color to allow for greater design possibilities.
4. Once clay has cooled, it can be molded by hand or rolled and cut, using regular cookie cutters, into various shapes and sizes. It is recommended that wax paper be placed over your work surface to avoid unnecessary mess or destruction of tables and counters. Different color clays can be used in conjunction with each other or molded together for a truly original look. With a toothpick, you can easily carve the child's name, date or any other information on the underside of your clay project.
5. For those clay projects you intend to keep, put on a fresh sheet of wax paper and place them in a cool, dry place to harden. Once hard, your child can take their project a step further by painting them with nontoxic paints found at your local art supply store.
6. The most important step: have fun! Remember, childhood doesn't last long. Get messy when you can!

Tips & Warnings

• Variations: For ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree or crafts to be hung around the house, use a pencil to hollow out a hole at the top of the clay design before it's left to dry. Once dry, use yarn, ribbon or crafting twine to hang the decoration.