Gluten-Free Play Dough

Craft:  Gluten-Free Play Dough!
        This play dough when kept in a zip lock baggie can last             up to 6 weeks or more!

What You Need:

• 1/2 Cup Rice Flour
• 1/2 Cup Salt
• 1/2 Cup Corn Starch
• 2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Tablespoon Oil
• Food Coloring

Create:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot over medium heat
2. Stir as play dough starts to form a ball and stick together
3. Do not over-cook
4. Once play dough has formed and formed a ball turn off heat
5. Dump dough out on counter to let cool slightly
6. Once dough is cool enough to touch add desired food coloring and knead.
7. Store Play Dough in a zip lock bag
8. Here at the studio we double the recipe

Benefits:

• Hand/finger control and dexterity
• Arm and hand muscle building
• Learn how to roll a ball 
• Learn how to roll out a "worm"/"noodle"
• Introduction to 3D art techniques

Pocket Pals

Craft:  Pocket Pals 
     (keeping you company all summer long!)

What you need:

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• String/twine/ribbon/yarn
• Paper
• Marker/pens/pencils
• Glue (optional if you want to glue on eyes, glitter, etc.)
• Sequins (optional)
• Google eyes (optional)
• Glitter (optional)
• A pocket to carry it in :)

Create:

1. Cut a small shape out of cardboard (shape can be an oval, square, or any desired shape).
2. Cut slits around the cardboard shape.
   
3. Decorate the cardboard by coloring or glueing on glitter, sequins, eyes etc. 
4. Cut wing shapes out of paper and glue on back of cardboard pal
5. Take string/twine/ribbon or yarn and wrap around the cardboard shape, securing through the slits.
   
6. Let dry if using glue
7. Name your pal
8. Place your pal in your pocket and go PLAY!

Benefits:

• Use of scissors
• Introduction to weaving
• Use of glue (i.e., squeezing the glue, amount needed, etc)
• Use of dexterity
• Confidence building when choosing pieces that will be used to create the final piece.

About the Studio

We are open in our new space at 2822 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN.  The studio features a crafting table, water colors, painting and chalk board easels, a painting wall, play dough, and tons of recycled materials, and art supplies you can choose from to make fun, messy art with your child.

This blog will feature art projects that we have created at the studio.  These are simple projects that you and your little one can enjoy at home.  So if you can't get enough of the art at I Heart Kids' Art follow this blog and take the ideas home to your kitchen table!

We hope you enjoy this blog and the studio, we sure enjoy your art and creativity!