LARGE MOTOR SKILLS

Toss in the Can Assemble a sock ball, a bean bag or a yarn ball and an empty trash can or tub. Place the can or tub close to the child. Show the child how to toss the ball or bean bag into the trash can or tub. Encourage the child to use one hand, but accept either under- or overhand tosses. Insisting on one or the other at this age may confuse or frustrate the child. The child may even prefer to use both hands. The object is to aim for the target with the ball or bean bag. This is a simple activity and should interest the child. However, make it clear to the child that he should aim for the trash can or tub and not the furniture, lamps, tables, etc. When the child has gained confidence in tossing the ball a short distance, the trash can or tub can be moved farther away from the child. This will offer more of a challenge to the child and will increase his skill and confidence. This activity develops: eye-hand coordination gross motor coordination interest in a game following directions an awareness of distance and time in relation to when the ball is first tossed and when it stopped BEAN BAG GAMES Heads or Tails: Toss two-color bean bag in the air and have child guess which color will land facing up. Bean Bag Crawl: Put bean bag on child's back and see how far he/she can crawl before it falls off. Racing this way is great for a birthday party. Bean Bag Walk: Child balances bean bag on head as he/she walks, sits in a chair, sits on the floor, walks backward, etc. Keep a Straight Face Two teams sit facing each other in two lines. One team is chosen to go first and they must keep a straight face no matter what. In the meantime, the opposing team is doing everything within their power to make the other team laugh or crack a smile. No touching or tickling, but other than that, anything goes! It's so funny to watch the creative ways people try to make each other laugh. MONKEY TAG Number of Players: Any number Location: Outdoors with over the head places to touch, such as tree limbs, clotheslines, etc. (backyard or park)

Equipment: None Object: Avoid being tagged by "IT" Set-Up: One player is chosen as "IT" Play: "IT" cannot tag any players if they are touching something over their heads AND standing on only one foot. (This position prevents players from remaining in the safe position too long). Players should be encouraged to move around and take chances. Also, "IT" cannot stand next to one player to wait for them to move and cannot push them to make them get off balance. "IT" has to keep moving from one player to the next. NO two players can touch the same overhead object and the "last" player to an object wins that spot, thereby causing the other player to have to run. Winner: None FLAMINGO BALL RELAY Submitted by Kathy Required: Balls Players: Small to large groups Category: Relay Games Set up teams of 8 - 11 players and each team will need one ball. Choose one player on each team to toss the ball to their team players. The teams are to line up side-by-side about one to two feet part from the other team players. The players with the balls are to be facing the first player in line about 5-8 feet away. On go, the first player is to stand on one foot (left foot) and the ball is to be passed to them 5 times by their player with the ball. If they put their foot down they are to start over with the count of 5 again. Once that player has completed the 5 passes then the next player will complete the task. You do this all the way down the line until the end. Once the last person has completed standing on the left foot, they will now stand on the right foot for 5 ball passes. The next player will do the same standing now on the right foot working your way back up to the starting point. The first team to complete the ball passing while standing like a Flamingo is the winner. This game idea came to me after reading the book called The Gift of Dyslexia. Created by R. Scheel, Fun-Attic, Inc. BEAN BAG FUN You can make a bean bag toss board by cutting a circle in a piece of plywood and painting it whatever colour or pattern you wish, even making the hole part of a character's stomach. Toss bean bags into a hoop or series of hoops on the ground, assigning point values for each hoop. Or have them toss the bean bags through hoops like a lion jumping through a hoop. Use the bean bags for body part identification, asking them to walk around with the bean bags on shoulders, elbows, etc. or just have them touch the bean bags to their limbs.

Have the kids shake the bean bags, then toss them up in the air and catch them. Have them see how many times they can clap while the beanbag is up in the air before catching it or have them spin in a circle before catching it. There's always the great old stand-by of Hot Potato :) Have them play catch, taking a step back everytime they catch it and a step forward when they miss. BUBBLE WRAP Submitted by Marilyn One of the teachers in my school did this simple activity with her class and it was a success. She bought a large piece of bubble wrap paper and taped it onto the carpeted floor. Then she placed plastic and wooden toy hammers all around. The children spent so much time banging and popping the bubble wrap. It was a different thing to do to break up the day. So easy - so much fun! LARGE MOTOR GAME Submitted by Dianne Materials: sponge balls large box or basket. Scatter the balls around and let the children pick them up using their feet instead of their hands. In fact, we have them scoot around on their bottoms to get to the balls and then scoot over to the basket and let them drop in. They can't use their hands at all. Some other items to pick up are small stuffed animals, bean bags, small boxes and/or empty milk cartons. Big Blocks Liven up your blocks center with these attractive, lightweight building blocks. Collect a supply of concentrated detergent boxes. Tape over the opening of each box with packaging tape. Cover each box with colored Cont-Tact paper. Youngsters will demonstrate new heights of creativity when they're building with these larger-than-life blocks! Parachute Games! submitted by Amy Mushroom This is not so much a game, more an essential starting point for parachute play. Get everyone to spread out the parachute and hold the edge, spaced out more or less evenly so they're standing in a circle. Pull the chute taut and lower it to the ground (or knee level). On the magic word (e.g. Mushroom!) everyone pulls the chute upwards (don't let go). It will fill with air and rise up like a giant mushroom - or igloo. To get it as high as possible everyone must take a couple of paces towards the center as the chute rises. It's good to practice this so that the group can learn to work effectively as a team and get the chute really high. It won't work without co-operation. Variations on Mushroom Once you've mastered the basic mushroom it's fun to experiment. See what happens if:

Everyone mushrooms and then runs to the center, still holding the chute. Everyone mushrooms, then lets go, especially outdoors on a windy day! Everyone lets go at exactly the same time. If there isn't any wind, the chute will retain its perfect mushroom shape and rise straight up in the air. Indoors it may go up to the ceiling. To get this right it's best for someone to shout "One. Two. Three. Go!", or similar, immediately after the "Mushroom!" instruction. For everyone to let go at exactly the right instant will take practice and concentration. Groups of children who haven't played with a parachute before will probably be delighted and fascinated by the effect for quite a while before you move on to a other games. It's particularly spectacular when the sun is shining down through the chute. Rollerball Everyone holds the chute taut. Place a large ball near the edge. Try to make the ball roll around the edge of the chute. To do this someone starts the ball rolling. As it comes towards you, you lower the edge you are holding, and as it goes past you raise your edge. When all the players do this in synchronization it creates a wave going round the edge, pushing the ball round in front of it in a smooth, steady circle. It can not be done without concentration and co-operation! However, it is very rewarding for the group to eventually achieve a smooth, continuous motion. Once you've done this try speeding up - or change direction. Big Turtle Have the children get on their hands and knees under a large "turtle shell" and try to make the turtle more in one direction. As a cooperative game, children have to work together to get the turtle to move. Variation: Have the turtle go over a hill or bench or through an obstacle course without losing the shell. The Ocean We pretend the parachute is the ocean. I have them give me the name of an ocean. Children move the parachute in response to the 'weather report' they heard. (Encourages children to be creative). For example, I'll say, "I heard on the weather report this morning that there was a slight breeze over the Atlantic. What would that look like?" The children respond by making small waves in the parachute. Other suggestions have been - high winds, snow (we would have to pull it tight to make the ice), twisters, etc. Once they get the hang of it the possibilities are endless. Jaws Everyone sits on the floor in a circle holding the parachute stretched out with his or her legs underneath it. The chute is the sea and they are sitting on the beach, happily dipping their toes in the water. By shaking the edge of the chute realistic ripple or wave effects can be generated. Once the waves are going well someone is selected to be a shark and disappears under the chute. They move around underneath and because of the waves it will be difficult to see where they are. The shark chooses a victim and grabs him or her by the feet. The victim can give an appropriate scream before disappearing under the chute. This person now becomes a new shark. To prolong the game you can have the original shark revert to being a bather - or to make it more lively you can have several sharks in there at once. To finish the game you can choose 'once a shark, always a shark' - so everyone eventually becomes a shark. You can introduce freak weather conditions or even a killer whale!

See-Saw Pull -- From a sitting position, have the children pull the chute back and forth in a seesawing motion. Make Waves -- While gripping the parachute, everyone moves their arms up and down to make small and large waves. Ball Roll -- Have the children try to roll balls into the hole in the center of the parachute. Chute Lift -- Ask the children to lift the parachute high over their heads and down again. Talk about the soft sounds and breezes that are created. Move the parachute faster and notice the different effects. Mushroom -- From a standing position, lift the parachute from the ground to waist height, counting one (lift) and two (lift). On three (lift), have everyone raise the parachute high over their heads and then crouch down, pulling the parachute tightly behind them. A mushroom effect is created as the parachute settles. Parachute Tag -- Lift the parachute high overhead. Call one child's name and have her run (skip, hop, twirl or crawl) to the other side before the parachute comes down and tags her. One Hand Run -- Have each child hold the parachute with one hand, extending the opposite arm out for balance. Run around in one direction, then change and run around in the other direction. A variation would be to use music as the cue for changing direction (i.e. direction can be changed every time the music stops). Parachute Run -- Have the children take turns running on the parachute as it lies on the ground, while the other children make waves. See how long the children can maneuver on the waves before falling down. The length of turns can be determined by songs that the children choose to sing (i.e. everyone's turn lasts the length of one song). PARACHUTE FUN When the Parachute Goes Up (sung to: If Your Happy and You Know it) When the parachute goes up stomp your feet When the parachute goes up stomp your feet When the parachute is high It floats up in the sky When the parachute goes up stomp your feet. Encourage children to think of other movements. (bend your knees, nod your head, shout hooray) Name Game (sung to: Row Row Row your Boat) Up, up, up it goes Down, down, down it comes If your name is------- (put in a child's name) Now's your turn to run As you sing the song have the children raise the parachute above their heads. When a child is

named have him/her run under the parachute. Then slowly lower the parachute to try and trap the child. Continue until all children have had a turn. STILTS Submitted by Margie Materials: Tuna Fish cans; Thin rope (like a clothes line) Preparation: Poke holes in opposites of Tuna cans using a pair of teacher scissors. String rope through Tuna can holes so that knots can be tied at both ends (under the Tuna fish can) Rope should be long enough for the child to hold while standing on the tuna can. Process: Child takes 2 cans with rope attached and walks on them, while pulling up on ropes to keep tuna can against the bottom of his/her feet. VARIATION: For older children/more advanced use coffee cans or large fruit/vegetable cans. LARGE MOTOR SKILLS GAMES Submitted by Peg Title: Sock Ball Ages 1 - 3 Goal: build motor control and improve aim. Use a rolled up pair of socks to make a great beginner's ball with which he/she can practice throwing. To build sense of confidence first ask child to toss (as in underhanded) the ball to you. This is an easiest way for young children to throw with accuracy. Start by asking the child to toss it to the wall, big box, square on floor - something large so child will have confidence to try smaller targets. Hula Hoop Toss Ages 2 - 5 Goal: Increase aim and build motor control. Use either sock ball or other soft ball and throw thru a hula hoop hanging from ceiling or teacher, while sitting on floor, can hold over her head . It is important for the hoop to be at child's eye level. Later, as coordination improves move the hoop from side- to- side to increase the challenge. Kick Ball Ages 2 - 5 Goal: Increase motor coordination and teaches to kick ball without falling. Balancing on one foot and kicking the ball with the other is not easy, and this exercise is to help improve that balance. At first the child can start by holding one foot up and seeing how long they can balance. Make a game out of it by singing this song while the children hold their foot up. As an added skill have them hold their foot with the same hand while balancing) Tune; Wheels On the Bus I can balance on just one foot, just one foot, just one foot. I can balance on just one foot - as still as a statue As balancing improves then have them hop on one foot, then progress to hopping on one foot while holding the other foot. Now have them kick a ball! You will be amazed at their coordination and aim since balancing is a skill already learned.

The Tortoise Ages: 2 - 5 Goal: Team work and coordination To create a giant tortoise several children get on their hands and knees while you cover them with a shell made from a blanket or large sheet of cardboard. Suggest that the tortoise take a little walk. Do not be surprised if it loses it's shell the first few tries. The children will need to practice and use team work to move as one and keep their "home" on their backs. Once they start operating as a team set up a simple obstacle path, put a chair in path that they have to turn to avoid, blocks that must be climbed over. Caterpillar Crawl Line up kids on hands and knees and link together by having each child hold on to the person's ankles in front of them and have a slithery excursion across grass as a caterpillar! Surmounting cushions placed in their path or following a prescribed route around several chairs can add challenge to the fun. BEAN BAGS Submitted by Marcia When making bean bags, use fish rocks from the tank (really cheap stuff) so when it's time to wash those dirty bean bags, you can throw them in the wash machine! (rice & beans will become soggy)

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

SHINY FINGER PAINT 1/4 oz Un flavored gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 1/2 cup corn starch 3 cups cold water 4 - 6 small jars with tight fitting lids (1/2 cup, 125 mL, each) Paste food coloring Combine gelatin and first amount of cold water in small bowl. Let stand for about 5 minutes to soften gelatin. Combine cornstarch and second amount of cold water in medium sauce pan. Heat and stir until boiling and thickened. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Divide gelatin mixture among jars. Stir food coloring into mixture, a little at a time,to desired color. makes about 3 cups enough for 6 different colors. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days. NOTE: Paste food coloring is available at craft store kitchen supply store it is less messy to use and creates brighter colors

CRACKERS AND CRUMBS Crackers and crumbs (pretend to eat a cracker and brush the crumbs off your shirt) Crackers and crumbs (pretend to eat a cracker and brush the crumbs off your shirt) These are my fingers (show fingers) These are my thumbs (thumbs up) These are my eyes (point to eyes) These are my ears (point to ears) They'll all grow bigger (put hands down by floor and stretch up for last two lines) In the next few years FINGERPAINT All you do is enjoy yourself...put a puddle of liquid starch on the paper, or directly on the table, or on a cookie sheet or sheet of Plexiglas or anything smooth...and then put a tablespoon of powdered tempera, or a squirt of liquid tempera, directly on the starch. There are no exact measurements. Which is nice! Less paint, you get a transparent look. More paint, you get a denser look. SQUISHY BALLS Squishy balls are just balloons filled with corn starch or flour. You fill the balloon with the flour or corn starch and tie it off. My students are having a great time with these. TYING SHOES Make a teepee. Come inside. Pull down tight so we can hide. Around the mountain... here we go! Here's my arrow. Here's my bow. FINE MOTOR SKILLS 1) Pick up and sort objects such as blocks, spools, coins, beans, marbles, cotton balls, pins, buttons, straws, nails, nuts, bolts, popcorn, etc.. and place them into containers of varying sizes (i.e. egg cartons, cups, mugs, jars, etc.) 2) Pick up objects (blocks, cotton balls, counters, etc.) using various sized tongs and strawberry pickers, transferring them between containers 3) Stack objects (i.e. coins, cards, checkers, blocks, etc.) 4) Screw and unscrew objects such as nuts and bolts, caps from jars 5) String beads onto a shoelace 6) Run a threaded needle through cloth

7) Fasten safety pins 8) Cut straight and curved lines/shapes drawn on paper, cloth, etc., with scissors 9) Play the piano 10) Type 11) Crumple paper in a small ball and then flick it with the finger (play "soccer" with the paper ball) 12) Shuffle cards, deal cards one by one, turn cards over 13) Roll a pencil between thumb and fingers without dropping it 14) Knead dough 15) Stick small objects into play dough for him/her to pull out 16) Wind thread on a spool evenly 17) Put rubber bands around various size containers and objects 18) Use tweezers to pick up small objects 19) Move spoonfuls of small objects from one bowl to another 20) Do up buttons, zippers, hooks, etc. 21) Tie shoelaces 22) Cut finger and toenails with clippers 23) Trace and copy letters 24) Do connect the dot puzzles 25) Solve mazes 26) Manually sharpen pencils 27) Use a manual can opener 28) Tie a box with string or ribbon

29) Put keys into locks to open doors 30) Put paper clips onto paper 31) Use a stapler 32) Remove staples with a staple remover 33) Place clothespins on the edge of a box or container 34) Dial a telephone 35) Set a watch or clock 36) Pick up or move marbles (or nuts in shells) using a melon baller. This could be made into a game - i.e. take turns rolling a die. Whatever number turns up, pick up that number of "marbles" and place them into an egg carton. 37) Use Wikki Stix to form shapes, letters, numbers, and other designs. You may want to use a template. 38) Color using the flat side of a crayon. Put paper over leaves, stencils, and other objects so that the child gets sensory feedback as he colors. 39) Make a matching game (pictures, letters, etc.) using a coffee can and clothespins. Have the child put the clothespins on the rim of the can. 40) Use sprayer bottles filled with water and sponges to have the child "clean" a desk or table, then squeeze the excess water into a dishpan. This is a great pre-scissor skill activity. 41) Lace various sized beads. Any activity involving the use of both hands is good to develop bilateral integration. 42) Oriental Trading Company has some cute manipulatives, like small locks with keys and slimy putty for poking and rolling. You could have a cutting center. Give the student a magazine and let him cut out the pictures he likes to make a poster. Glue on pictures and later let him tell why he chose those pictures. 43) A fun activity with young toddlers is to fill a sensory table/bucket with colored pompoms and provide small tongs and

strawberry baskets (or another basket/bucket) for the children to fill their baskets. 44) Also using tweezers to pickup different items.kind of like sorting.maybe in egg cartons or something else. 45) Older children may practice strengthening strengthening their fingers for cutting by using a rubber band to just stretch, release, stretch, release, etc. 46) Play dough play with young children with the terms: poke, squeeze, pound, press, knead, etc. is always good for language too. GOO GLOVES Submitted by Rachel Take a rubber examining glove and put a table spoon of finger paint in the glove. Next fill the glove 3/4 way with white school glue. Tie the end of the glove off. Wash off any glue or paint that might have gotten on the outside of the glove. Then you put another glove on the original and tie. This will give it extra protection. Squeeze the glove and work together the glue and paint until it is one solid color. I tried this in my toddler class and they loved it, they just laugh because it felt like they were playing with a hand. They especially like how they can take the glove and give their self a high five. MAKING BEADS Strings of Bag Beads Roll them, twist them, or bend them. Then string them up and wear them! You will need: grocery bags scissors markers, glitter, or paints glue toothpick hole punch yarn or string To Make a Tube Bead Cut a long strip from a grocery bag. Make it as wide as you'd like your bead. Use markers, glitter, or paints to decorate a few inches at one end of it. Then starting at the plain end, roll the strip around a toothpick. Glue the end down. To Make Accordion-Style Beads Cut a strip from a bag. Decorate it on both sides with markers or paints, then fold it accordion-style. Punch a hole in each section between the folds. To Make a Necklace, Bracelet, or Anklet Create as many beads as you like then arrange them on your work space. Wrap tape around the

end of a length of string or yarn, then thread it through the beads. Trim the string, leaving enough room at both ends to tie them together. FINE MOTOR SKILLS AND LEARNING LETTERS Submited by Vicky write with a tiny piece of damp sponge on chalkboard and then trace with finger put about a 1/2 inch of sand in a shallow box and trace here is a cool one, collect the disolvable packaging peanuts. If you touch the end of one to a damp sponge it will stick to another one! the kids LOVE making sculptures from this, letters would work too. glue things onto outline of letter like popcorn on letter P, seeds on letter S etc. letter pretzels, recipe in "KinderCooking has a good one that doesn't need to rise. Poke holes with pushpins (Lay paper on carpet to do this) draw letters on each others backs with finger make fingerprints on outline of letter FINGERPAINTING FUN If you and your students are frustrated by fingerpaint paper that wears and tears before youngsters have finished their artwork, you'll appreciate this alternative. Have students fingerpaint directly on serving trays or cafeteria trays. On a tray, a student can fingerpaint to his heart's content without having to worry about a fragile paper surface. The paint is usually confined to the tray, making cleanup a breeze. If you want to preserve a copy of the artwork, press a sheet of fingerpaint paper onto the painted design on the tray and carefully lift up the paper. SCISSOR PRACTICE For cutting practice, you could have the kids cut out the supermarket coupons from the Sunday and Wednesday newspapers. Just have them cut on the dotted lines. I also read where someone had a "cutting box". Have the child sit in a large box and cut away. The scraps stay in the box! CLOTHESPIN ART Submitted by Marilyn I just read this little activity in a book. Purchase colorful, plastic spring action clothes pins. Place them on a try and let the children grasp them to one another to form all different and interesting creations. It is simple, cheap and great for pincer grip, fine motor and eye-hand coordination. I purchased two packages today in the local supermarket. they are more expensive than the wooden clothespins, but more attractive. Make sure they are not the flimsy, small ones. These break too easily. SHAMPOO/GLUE DOUGH Materials: cup white glue 1/3 cup shampoo 1 cups flour

Directions: 1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. 2. Knead while in bowl to make a smooth dough. 3. Model the dough. Is a really great dough for the coil method. 4. Let objects dry for 1 or 2 days to finish, depending on thickness. 5. You can paint the completely dried projects. FINE MOTOR/PRINTING Submitted by Chris I give each student a zip lock bag. Then depending on the theme I have glitter or small beads. I then go around and have the children squeeze hair gel in the bags. Blue and green work well. I add food coloring if too light. Then I have the children add the glitter or figures (small ones) to the goop. Then they seal the bag with no air in it. I give then white paper with letters or shapes we are working on to trace over with their fingers. The students love the bags and they keep for a long time!! You can be very creative with this idea. We did under the sea theme and they used blue hair gel and little shark and fish figures. I also added glitter. They still talk about the bags. Fingerplay Mitts Fascinate your youngsters when performing fingerplays by donning these special fingerplay mitts. To make a fingerplay mitt, use self-adhesive Velcro pieces to attach small puppet cutouts to colorful gardening gloves. Puppets can be easily removed and replaced with other sets as desired. SQUISHY BAGS Here's a good squishy bag basic. You can just use two colors to let children discover secondary colors; you can add all kinds of things- sequins, the tiny doodads from craft shops, tiny alphabet blocks, etc. Remember to check that seal! i like the idea of extra sealing tape around the bag if the children are very vigorous squishers! Sensory: Make squishy bags. In a saucepan, pour 1 cup cornstarch, 1/3 cup sugar, and four cups water. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently. The mixture will start to turn lumpy, and then thicken into a sort of vaseline-looking product. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Divide into 4-6 small strong ziploc storage bags. Squirt in a few drops of food coloring in primary colors, aiming for different areas of the bags. Press out as much air as possible, and seal the bags. Fold a piece of duct tape over the top for added security . Now- give to the kids, and let them squeeze and press the colors around. The colors will blend beautifully, and the bags will last for quite a while. BLOCKS AND BEADS Cardboard Rolls - Bathroom Tissue, Paper Towels, ect... Get a lot of rolls. Cut into different lengths, leaving some long. Cover with bright contact paper, covering over the edges a little. Using a sharp kitchen knife, make 4 slits about 1/2 " long on each end, cutting across with the knife so that they are even. Older kids can use these like blocks, interlocking the slits for stacking. Without the slits, they make great "beads" for even the little ones to string onto a long shoelace. (Just watch so they don't chew on them.)

Using scissors Submitted by P. Hall In our preschool we have the 3's and 4's use scissors while playing with play dough. They love making ropes and cutting them into pieces. I have them help me make a pizza out of play dough and them I show them how to cut it so they can all have a piece. INCREASING FINE MOTOR SKILLS Submitted by Momybusy The three year olds teacher in our school has a plastic kiddy pool with construction paper scraps. The kids sit in it and chop up the paper with scissors into smaller and smaller pieces. She also has well oiled hole punchers which the kids squeeze, squeeze, squeeze to make confetti in the pool. You can also try sewing cards, stringing beads or just letting them sew designs on plastic craft canvas using that plastic lacing. have them sort things with tweezers or clothespins. Sort little colored pom poms into an ice cube tray. Put out little pictures of chickens (or turkeys) and have them pick up corn kernels and feed 5 to each turkey. Put out a collection of clothespins (wooden, colored plastic, miniature, etc.) and have them clip them to those wire organizer shelves-- all the wooden ones to one wire, all the blue to another wire, etc. Cut holes in a coffee can lid and put it back on the can. Then have them put poker chips, marbles, etc. through the hole into the can. Play dough is great, and clay is good when their fingers have gotten stronger. You can also have them screw nuts and bolts together. My boys loved that. A word of caution: try the larger objects first until you know if your kids are likely to put things in their mouths. Some years I can do these things, but other years I have had to wait till mid-year to use smaller objects because I had a few mouthers in my class. CUTTING Submitted by Brenda I would like to share something that I do with my kinders in regard to cutting. I tell them that their scissors are cars and the black line on their paper is the road. They have to drive their cars on the road just like mom and dad do. I joke with them about staying off the grass and keeping on the road. I usually have a few children that like to keep asking, stay on the road, right? FINE MOTOR SKILLS Submitted by Susi These may not be new ideas, but why try and reinvent the wheel? LOL.... 1. Play dough is great is strengthening little finger muscles. Try letting the kids cut the play dough with scissors. 2. Clothespins, have them clip them on anything they can, and then unclip them. 3. Stringing beads, spools, straws, etc. 4. Picking up small pieces of paper or other little safe items using their fingers. Hope these help!

Fine motor activities Submitted by Marilyn This is a good way to help the children to use not only their fingers, but grasping with their palms. Take plastic jars in all different sizes.( I like the new Campbell soup plastic jars) Place a variety of different sizes of jars and lids on the table or on a tray. Then have the children try to match lid to jar and use their fine motor skills to screw the lids onto the jars. Also, purchase large nuts and bolts from your hardware store and allow the children to put them together. (Make sure that the child is old enough not to put them into their mouth) Take a large piece of styrofoam packing. (or give each child a separate piece) Then supply plastic hammers and colorful golf tees. The children LOVE to hammer the tees into the styrofoam and then have to use their pincher grip to pull them out. Fine Motor and Sensory Bag Submitted by Peg Here's an idea the lady at our local Teacher Supply Store told me she discovered by accident. Sounded great so thought I'd share it with you all. Get a ziploc and fill it with colored hair gel. Use the colored foam you can get a craft stores and cut out shapes of fish, stars, anything. Put shapes in baggie. Tape bag closed. Children can squeeze it and the smell of the hair gel comes through. Good for all ages. EXTENSION OF BAGS Submitted by Gail I do this throughout the year and the kids love it. I shampoo when it's on sale. (I often get White Rain, Suave, etc. FREE with coupons and a sale! : ) I just picked up some green apple, coconut and strawberry scented shampoos the other day. It's a great fine motor and sensory activity. I vary the color and scents and add items according to the theme or season. For example for Halloween, I add plastic spiders. I've added glitter, etc. The children LOVE it! Sometimes I only add the shampoo and have the children "write" the first initial of their name with their fingers. It is VERY important to tape the bag. I have had "leaks". I also have found that you can't smell through the "freezer" bags, but you can through the "storage" bags. They must be more porous. Small Motor Submitted by Margie LACING OUR LANGUAGE !! Objective: to enhance children's specific development in each of the following domains: Physical: Hands and fingers Social: Solitary or Parallel Play Cognitive: One-One Correspondence Language: Reading Enjoyment & Writing Awareness Affective: Perseverance and Active Involvement Creative: Risk Taking Materials: Lids or tops w/print from various containers...ie: Butter, Cottage Cheese, egg cartons, Greeting cards, cereal/pasta/cookie boxes etc. Hole Puncher Different colors of yarn Masking tape.

Prep: Hole punch around the edges of each top/lid. Depending on the age and ability, punch the holes close together or further apart!! Wrap masking tape around end of a piece of yarn to be used for lacing the lids/tops. Invite children to try something new, by lacing the new cards you have made, talk about the print, colors etc. !!!! The children enjoy choosing the lids they want to use...and if something happens to them.....No problem...! :) Laminating Film Leftovers Submitted by Elaine Found the perfect usage for all that leftover laminating film! We finger-painted on it today and they look nice!!!!! Wow! So simple; so plentiful! Wish I discovered it sooner! Cardboard "Castle" Submitted by Kathy A great creation for young preschoolers. Use paper towel tubes etc. and build a structure on a flat piece of cardboard. As seasons change the children can paint with various colors such as orange for Fall, red for Christmas, green for St Patricks Day, etc. The children call it their castle and will ask to paint it. You can add turkeys, and other seasonal decorations and create an attractive center piece. This structure sits on a table all year and is always accessible. Several children can paint at the same time. An activity which stimulates cooperative and social interacting as well as well as facilitating motor development and creativity FINE MOTOR ACTIVITY FOR LETTER RECOGNITION Submitted by Jenny My Kindergartners and I have found a great way to practice letters or numbers AND clean the tables at the same time . . . shaving cream. It will not stain clothes, it smells good and it is an excellent motivation for recognition skills!!! HINT: Only squirt a small amount per child - a little goes a long way!!! SANTA FINGER PLAY Here is the chimney (make fist, enclose thumb) Here is the top (place palm on top of fist) Open the lid (remove top hand) and out Santa will pop. (pop up thumb) SHY SANTA Isn't it the strangest thing, That Santa is so shy? (hide face with hands) We can never, never catch him, (make fingers run) No matter how we try. It isn't any use to watch, (hold hand to eyes and look)

Because my parents said, "Santa Claus will only come When children are in bed!" (shake finger) Finger Rhyme Submitted by Sandra One , two, three, here's little me, Counting on my fingers, Hee, hee, hee. Four, five , six, this one sticks... Getting in a muddle now, getting in a fix. Seven, eight, nine, there, that's fine. No need to worry now, no need to whine. Here comes ten, trying not to giggle. Put them all together now and give them a wiggle. OR This one here is number ten. Put them all down and start again. Title: Finger Song Submitted by Emily Tune: ABC Song 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 fingertips I can touch them to my lips I can cover up my eyes I can clap them on my thighs Now lets' do the other hand Are you sure you understand? Title: Pointy Fingers Submitted by Peg a fingerplay Two pointy fingers I can show(Hold up both index fingers.) Way up high or way down low. (Hold index fingers high & low.) With my right, I point to my toe. (Right index toward toe.) With my left, I show where to go.(Point to left.) Two pointy fingers I can show (Hold up both index fingers.) To show you things that I know!(Point straight ahead, then to head.) Pairs a fingerplay Two things make a pair.(Hold up two fingers.) And on me, I'll show you where.(Point to self.) I have two ears, and I have two eyes. (Point to ear and eyes.) Both are important to make me wise! I have two holes in my nose.(Point to nose.) That lets me smell a beautiful rose.(Pretend to smell a rose.)

I have two hands that clap a beat.(Clap hands to underlined words.) I have two feet that are really neat!(Jump when saying the word neat!) Finger Rhyme Submitted by Sandra One , two, three, here's little me, Counting on my fingers, Hee, hee, hee. Four, five , six, this one sticks... Getting in a muddle now, getting in a fix. Seven, eight, nine, there, that's fine. No need to worry now, no need to whine. Here comes ten, trying not to giggle. Put them all together now and give them a wiggle. OR This one here is number ten. Put them all down and start again Animals Underground Fingerplay Submitted by Sandra Have fun reinforcing the fact that some animals live underground by teaching your youngsters this fingerplay. Here is the mole that lives underground. - Close eyes and put hands under your chin. Here are the ants in their underground town. - Use fingers on one hand to show ants "scurrying" on back of other hand. Here is the mouse in her warm little den. - Wrap arms around torso. Here are the worms and there are ten. - Hold hands up and wiggle ten fingers. Here is the turtle where he likes to hide. - Make a fist (turtle's shell) and wiggle thumb (turtle's head). Here are the toads sitting side by side. - Place two closed fists side by side. All of these creatures live underground. - Point to the ground. Look very closely or they'll never be found! - Make "binoculars" with hands and place them in front of eyes.

PLAYDOH RECIPES
PLAYDOH RECIPE THAT WILL LAST FOR 3 - 4 MONTHS Here's a cooked recipe to use for playdough that lasts and lasts and lasts! Stir together in a 2-quart pan: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar Add: 1 Tablespoon oil 1 cup water with food coloring in it

Cook over medium to medium-high heat. At first it will seem like you have too much water but don't fret, it all cooks down to a big chunk of playdough in about 3 minutes. Stir until it sticks together and then put on a cutting board to cool a little. Once you can touch it, knead it until it's completely smooth. I store it in those little Glad plastic throw-away containers and I usually make a double recipe to fill 6 of those for a center activity. You can cut it with a scissor and nothing sticks to the blades. Mine usually lasts 3 - 4 months! I also made a double batch of white and rolled it into golf-ball sized balls. I poked a hole in the center with a straw and put a few drops of blue food coloring down in the center and then closed up the ball. I put one in a baggie (it made about 24 balls) with a poem. I gave the kids one on the first day and we squished and squeezed the balls - they were amazed that it turned from white to blue! BETTER PLAYDOUGH TIP: Try substituting baby oil for vegetable oil in playdough recipes. The smell is wonderful and the playdough itself will not mold or get that rancid odor . It remains soft for a very long time. PERFECT PLAY DOUGH Although this recipe takes a little longer than some to make, the final product is well worth the added minutes. 2 cups flour 1 cups salt 2 cups water 2 tablespoons baby oil ( works better than regular oil) 2 tablespoons cream of tarter liquid food coloring Combine dry ingredients. Add water and oil. Stir well. Microwave on high 4 to 5 minutes. Stir again. Microwave another minute. Stir. Continue to microwave one minute, then stir, until dough is the consistency of mashed potatoes. Cool it enough to touch. Knead in food coloring until dough is desired color. Store in an air-tight container or ziploc bag. JUST LIKE REAL PLAYDOUGH 1 cup flour 1 cup water 1 tablespoon powdered alum 2 cup salt 2 tablespoons vanilla food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistancy of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading. STAY FRESH DOUGH 1 cup flour 1 cup salt 1 tablespoon alum 1 tablespoon oil 7/8 cup boiling water Mix together flour, salt, alum and oil in a bowl. PLAYDOUGH TIP: You can use playdough to enhance nearly any theme in your curriculum. BEST PLAYDOUGH You can triple or quadruple this recipe and cook it in a large pot with good results. 1 cup flour cup salt 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup water 1 tablespoon oil food coloring (cake decorators paste or liquid makes great colors) 1 tablespoon imitation vanilla extract Combine the flour, salt and cream of tartar in saucepan. Add the water and food coloring. Whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat until playdough is nearly set. Add the vanilla extract. Stir until blended, then remove and knead when cool. Store in ziploc bag or airtight container. DURABLE PLAYDOUGH 1 cup flour cup cream of tartar 1 cup water 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 to 2 cups flour Mix the flour and cream of tartar together in a heavy saucepan. Add the water and cooking oil. Stir while cooking over medium heat until it sticks together in a ball and looks like stiff mashed potatoes, 3 to 5 minutes. Dump onto a plate to cool a few minutes and then knead into the mixture about 1 or 2 cups of flour. Store in a plastic bag (no need to refrigerate). QUICK AND EASY MODELING DOUGH cup flour cup salt 1- teaspoons powdered alum 1 teaspoons vegetable oil

 cup boiling water food coloring Mix flour, salt and alum in a mixing bowl. Add vegetable oil and boiling water. Stir vigorously with a spoon until well blended. Dough should not stick to the sides of the bowl and should be cool enough to handle. Add food coloring and knead into dough until color is well blended and the dough is the desired tint. SALT AND ALUM MODELING DOUGH 1 cup flour 1 cup salt 1 rounded teaspoon alum 1/3 to cup water at room temperature Mix dry ingredients. Slowly add the water until you get a desirable consistency. Knead until clay like KOOL-AID PLAYDOH 3 cups flour cup salt 4 packages of unsweetened KoolAid 3 Tablespoons of oil 2 cups of boiling water Mix the dry ingredients then slowly add the oil and water as you stir. Keep stirring until it is cool enough to knead. Knead well. Store in air tight containers. *You can vary the flavor/color to suit your themes. GOO 1 cup starch, add water until desired consistancy. Food coloring It's wet, but it has a dry feeling. FUN FOR ALL AGES! Kids love it and the texture. Put newspaper down, they like to drizzle it into designs. SNOWMAN PLAYDOUGH 1-1/3 cups salt 1-1/3 cups flour 1 tablespoon oil water Directions: Mix the salt, flour and oil together. Add a little water at a time until you have a big ball of dough. ** I was leery of this as there was no measurement, but I just added a bit at a time and worked the dough and soon it came together.** Knead the dough on a

floured surface until very smooth and elastic. If too dry, add water; if too moist, put more flour on the surface. When making snowman sculptures, flour working surfaces so it won't stick. To join 2 pieces of dough, just moisten both edges with water and press together. When ready to harden the dough, either let them air dry for at least 48 hours, or bake them in the oven. Set oven to 325 - 350 degrees F (not higher), and bake on foil covered sheets. Allow for approx. 1/2 hour for each 1/2 inch of thickness or until surfaces turn light golden brown. If the sculptures puff up, turn down your oven and poke a pinhole in the dough to release the air. After drying, they can be painted with water colours, acrylics, enamels or spray paints. SNOW PLAYDOH Snow Playdough 1 cup Ivory Snow laundry detergent 2 cups warm water food colouring electric hand mixer or egg beater Add food colouring to water then add to laundry detergent. Mix with beater until fluffy. Use just like playdough. CHOCOLATE SCHENTED PLAY DOH Flour Cocoa powder Salt Cream of tartar Cooking oil Boiling water Mix 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 Tablespoon cream of tartar. Add 1 1/2 Tablespoons cooking oil, 1 cup boiling water. Stir quickly, mix well. Cook over low heat until dough forms a ball. When cool, mix with your hands. Store in airtight container. It smells good enough to eat but tastes awful so kids won't eat! FLUBBER Container #1: 1 1/2 cups of very warm water 2 cups of Elmer's white glue food coloring (a few drops) glitter (if desired)

Mix this combination thoroughly. Container #2: 1 1/3 cups of very warm water 3 level teaspoons of Borax (20 Mule Team Borax, in the laundry aisle at the store) Mix this combination thoroughly Now, once the individual containers are mixed thoroughly, mix the contents of container #2 into container #1. Lift and turn the mixture now, until it is combined. Some liquid may be left at the bottom of the container. Pour off that liquid. Remove flubber and place on a tray. Let is stand for a moment. Enjoy!!! Flubber will keep for about 2 weeks. Store in an airtight container. Ziplocks work great. It may stain fabric especially when fresh so keep away from carpet areas and maybe use smocks/shirts. CHOCOLATE PLAYDOH Chocolate Play Dough 2 cups water 1/2 cup salt 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 1/3 cup cocoa 2 cups Flour In a medium-sized pot, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients; then allow the mixture to cool slightly. Knead the dough until it reaches a smooth doughy consistency. Then store the dough in a resealable plastic bag. Gingerbread Playdough 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 cup water 1 tsp. veg. oil lots of cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, whatever! (the recipe called for food coloring, red and green to make brown, but I didn't need any after I threw in my spices). DIRECTIONS: Mix the dry ingredients. Play with the spices till you get the scent you want and the color. Mix water and oil together first and THEN add them to the dry ingredients and stir. In a pot, cook the mixture for two to three minutes, stirring frequently. The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pan and clump together. Take the dough out of the pan and knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow to cool and store in an air tight container.

GAK (HOMEMADE SILLY PUTTY) 1 cup white glue (Elmer's) 1 c liquid starch food coloring Put glue and coloring in plastic container. Add starch a little at a time, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until mixture holds together like putty. Test with your fingers, if too sticky, add more starch in small amounts until mass is smooth and rubbery. Have fun pulling, stretching, bouncing and taking transfers off of the Sunday comics, etc. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container. MODELING CLAY 1 box baking soda -- (16 oz.) 1 cup cornstarch 1 1/4 cups cold water Food coloring as desired In a large mixing bowl, combine soda and cornstarch. In a two-cup measure, combine water and food coloring. Pour colored water over soda mixture. Stir until smooth. Microwave at high for 4-8 minutes, stirring after every minute until mixture is firm. Cover with a damp towel until cool. Knead until smooth. Store in airtight containers or plastic bags PAPIER-MCH Tear four large newspaper sheets into small pieces. Place pieces in container with two quarts of water and let soak overnight. The next morning, place mixture in a cooking pan and boil for 20 minutes. Using a whisk, whip the paper mixture until it is soft and pulpy. Place the mixture in a strainer, tapping several times to shake out the water. Squeeze gently until the mixture is a soft, pulpy, moist lump. Place pulp into a bowl and stir in tow tablespoons of liquid Elmer's Glue (PVA) then 2 tablespoons of wallpaper paste. Stir until the mixture is not lumpy. This makes on quart of papier-mch mash. Notes: Sanded or not, papier-mch objects my be painted with any water-based paint. To waterproof surfaces of papier-mch objects and make them more durable, spray the finished object with a clear vinyl sealer or give it at least three coats of lacquer. To fireproof an object, stir in one teaspoon of sodium phosphate to each cup of paste for strips or to each cup of water when making mash. SOAP FLAKE FINGER-PAINTS 1 cup Ivory Soap Flakes enough water to give a consistency to that of whipped cream

Mix the water and soap flakes; beat with a rotary beater until creamy. Add food coloring for different colors. COOKED FINGER-PAINTS 1 cup flour 2 tsp salt 3 cups cold water 2 cups boiling water food coloring -- as desired Mix the flour and salt in an electric skillet, add the cold water and stir until smooth. Add the hot water and stir until boiling. Boil until clear, then add desired food coloring. Mix until smooth. UNCOOKED FINGER-PAINTS 1 cup flour 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup water food coloring -- as desired Mix flour and salt, add water. Mixture will be grainy. Cornstarch Fingerpaint You'll Need: 3 Tbsp. sugar C. cornstarch Medium saucepan 2 C. cold water Muffin tin or small cups Food coloring Soap flakes or liquid dishwashing detergent Mix sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Turn heat on low, add cold water, and stir until mixture is thick. Remove from heat. Divide mixture into four or five portions, spooning into muffin tin sections or small cups. Add a few drops of food coloring and a pinch of soap flakes or a drop of liquid dishwashing detergent to each portion. Stir and let cool before use. Store covered. OAT PLAY DOH This playdough isnt for dry but for tactile stimulation. Young children really enjoy this one. It has a rough texture and is great for exercising the hand muscles. You should use this dough the same day you make it. Materials: 2 cups water 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup flour cinnamon (optional ingredient)

Directions: 1. Heat the water until boiling. 2. Combine the boiling water and oatmeal in a mixing bowl. 3. Add enough flour to make a dough. 4. You can also add cinnamon for smell. You can shape and reshape this dough. It doesnt keep well and will mold within a day or two depending on your climate. MICROWAVE PLAYDOH Need: 6 tablespoons of cream of tartar, 3 cups plain flour, 4 tablespoons of cooking oil, 1/2 cup of salt, 3 cups of water, food coloring/ powder paint/ or powder Kool-Aid. Combine all ingredients in microwave proof dish and beat until smooth. Cover with cling wrap and microwave for 7 minutes on high, stirring halfway through cooking. If the mixture is still gooey, microwave for another minute. Cool and store in an airtight container in fridge. (since all microwaves cook different, be sure to watch the play dough while cooking.) STRAWBERRY PLAY DOUGH Submitted by Marjorie Strawberry Dough (works for all fruit) 1 0.3 ounce package of sugar free strawberry gelatin 2 cups flour 1 cup salt 4 Tablespoons cream of tarter 2 cups boiling water 2 Tablespoons cooking oil Mix dry ingredients in pan, add the boiling water and cooking oil, stir over medium heat until it forms a ball let cool. I cut the picture from the gelatin box and use it to label my container. It smells wonderful and the kids love it. Play Clay WITHOUT FLOUR Submitted by Kris 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 2/3 cup warm water food coloring or poster paints shellac or clear nail polish saucepan board

1. mix baking soda and cornstarch in pan 2. add water and stir until smooth 3. over medium heat, boil and stir until like mashed potatoes 4. pour onto board to cool 5. knead when cool 6. for color, knead coloring into clay until blended or paint when finished 7. when dry, brush with shellac or nail polish hints: 1. makes 1- 1/2 cups, doubles well 2. hardens quickly 3. stores in airtight container for several weeks Funclay2 materials: 1 cup cornstarch 2 cups salt 1 1/3 cup cold water paint pan, bowl, spoon, plastic bag 1. put salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan and boil 2. mix cornstarch with remaining water in bowl and stir well 3. add salt mixture to cornstarch mixture in bowl 4. knead 5. model or mold clay and let dry several hours 6. paint when dry, if desired hints: 1. makes 3 cups 2. keep unused clay in a covered container, or plastic bag in refrigerator Peanut Butter Play dough WITHOUT FLOUR OR WHEAT Submitted by Elise (Good for a group of about 5 children) 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup peanut butter 1 cup powdered milk Mix all ingredients together, mold into shapes, and eat!!!!! (For a group of 20, buy 2 jars of honey, 1 large container of peanut butter, and 1 large box of powdered milk) Sand modeling Materials: 1 cup sand 1/2 cup cornstarch 1 tsp. Alum 3/4 cup hot water

food coloring (optional) bowl, pan, airtight container 1. mix sand, cornstarch, and alum in bowl 2. add hot water, stirring vigorously 3. add food coloring if desired 4. cook over medium heat until thick in pan 5. cool 6. model or mold into objects 7. dry in sunshine for several days 8. store leftover dough in airtight container hints: 1. makes 2 cups 2. grainy and stonelike 3. does not need shellac or varnish for protection Play Clay Materials: 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 2/3 cup warm water food coloring or poster paints shellac or clear nail polish saucepan board 1. Mix baking soda and cornstarch in saucepan 2. add water and stir until smooth 3. over medium heat, boil and stir until like mashed potatoes 4. pour onto board to cool 5. knead when cool 6. for color, knead coloring into clay until blended or paint when finished 7. when dry, brush with shellac or nail polish hints: 1. makes 1 1/2 cups, doubles well 2. hardens quickly 3. stores in airtight container for several weeks Cornstarch Dough Materials: 1/2 cup salt 1/2 cup hot water 1/4 cup cold water 1/2 cup cornstarch pan bowl

board 1. mix salt and hot water and boil in pan 2. stir cold water into cornstarch in bowl 3. add cornstarch mixture to boiling water and stir 4. cook over low, stirring until like pie dough 5. remove and turn onto a board 6. when cool, knead until smooth 7. explore dough freely hints: 1. texture is grainy 2. hardens in 1 to 2 days 3. is white 4. speed drying time in oven 200 degrees fir 1 hour 5. keeps a long time if stored in container Funclay Materials: 1 cup cornstarch 2 cups salt 1 1/3 cups cold water paint pan, bowl, spoon, plastic bag 1. put salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan and boil 2. mix cornstarch with remaining water in bowl and stir well 3. add salt mixture to cornstarch mixture in bowl 4. knead 5. model or mold clay and let dry several hours 6. paint when dry, if desired Hints: 1. makes 3 cups 2. keep unused clay in a covered container, or plastic bag in refrigerator PLAYDOH RECIPES IDEAS FROM MUDWORKS Submitted by Suzanne SJame66996@aol.com Salt Play dough 1 c water 1/2 c flour 1 c salt Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Add food coloring as desired. Stir over low heat. Remove pan from heat when dough becomes thick and rubbery. Spoon part of the clay onto a piece of floured wax paper. Roll out dough using a rolling pin.

Cut out or shape as desired. Dry objects for a few days. Store unused dough in an airtight container. Cornstarch Dough 1/2 c salt 1/2 c hot water 1/4 c cold water 1/2 c cornstarch Mix salt & hot water together and bring to boil in saucepan. Stir together cold water and cornstarch in a bowl, then add this to the salted water. Reduce heat to low and cook until mixture has thickened, with a consistency of pie dough Remove dough from the pan and place onto a board or tray to cool. Knead dough until it is smooth. Shape dough as desired. Allow to air dry for 1 or 2 days, or dry in a 200 oven for 1 hour. Store unused dough airtight. Shampoo Dough 3/4 c flour 1/4 c white glue 1/4 c thick shampoo Mix all ingredients in a bowl Knead dough Add more flour, as needed. Model or roll and cut as desired. Air dry Paint as desired. MORE PLAYDOH RECIPES IDEAS FROM MUDWORKS Submitted by Kris Sand modeling 1 cup sand 1/2 cup cornstarch 1 tsp. Alum 3/4 cup hot water food coloring (optional) bowl, pan, airtight container 1. mix sand, cornstarch, and alum in bowl 2. add hot water, stirring vigorously 3. add food coloring if desired 4. cook over medium heat until thick in pan 5. cool 6. model or mold into objects 7. dry in sunshine for several days 8. store leftover dough in airtight container 9. Does not need shellac or varnish for protection

Basic Art Dough 4 cups flour 1 cup iodized salt 1 3/4 cups warm water bowl 1. mix all ingredients in bowl 2. knead 10 minutes 3. model as with any clay 4. bake 300 degrees until hard 5. or air dry for a few days Glue-Shampoo Playdough Heres a really fun dough another new one on me, but really flexible. This dough is great for making coil pots and vases. You dont have to cook this dough, not for the preparation stage or for the drying stage. When the projects are complete, just air dry to finish. Materials: cup white glue 1/3 cup shampoo 1 cups flour Directions: 1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. 2. Knead while in bowl to make a smooth dough. 3. Model the dough. Is a really great dough for the coil method. 4. Let objects dry for 1 or 2 days to finish, depending on thickness. 5. You can paint the completely dried projects.