With the approach of Christmas and 6 boys all cooped up in the house we have some very interesting dynamics. I am forever trying to come up with ideas and project to keep them busy and entertained and for this simple mom that is a feat that is sometimes completely beyond me! I find myself refereeing far more than directing!!!
One idea I have and would like to do (hopefully tomorrow or Saturday) is Flour Clay Ornaments. I don’t know why, but this one sounds very fun to me this year (maybe I am crazy after all?). Want to give them a try? Believe it or not it is quite probable that you already have everything you need for this project!
You’ll need 4 cups of flour, 2 cups of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 and 1/2 cups water, poster paints (don’t have them? – just be creative 😉 ), clear shellac (optional and you can always have hubby pick some up on his way home), decorating items (glitter, sequins, small beads, etc), food coloring (again, optional), Christmas shaped cookie cutters, fine sandpaper (again, something hubby may have laying around or he could pick it up), a plastic straw (I personally think this is optional as you can use a knife to cut the hole for the ribbon).
How to make them: Mix the flour, salt, baking powder and water together by hand (if it seems to try add a little water). If you want colored “clay” now is the time to add the food coloring. Once this is mixed roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out the shapes with cookie cutters. If they are to be ornaments make sure you put a hole in each one (using the straw or????) for hanging prior to cooking.
Cook in a 250 degree oven on an ungreased baking sheet for about 30 minutes. Remove them and turn them over, then bake them for about another hour (or until they are hard). Remove them from the baking sheet and let them cool. Once they are cool smooth each one with fine sandpaper.
Now they are ready to be decorated. You can begin by drawing designs on them with a pencil and then paint them using the poster paints. Once the paint dries you can shellac them to protect the paint and you can even add other decorations like sequins, glitter, ric rac, tiny beads, etc. String a ribbon or cord through the hole and how fun is that you have your own ornament!
What kind of holiday activities do you and your children enjoy doing this time of year?