Kids like to do all sorts of messy things which are tons of fun. You can make all sorts of fun creative craft materials for your kids for just pennies. And making it is a great time too! Here are directions for several recipies of play clay, slime and bubbles for lots of long fun afternoons.

Play Clay

Arm and Hammer Soda Version:
1 pound box of Arm and Hammer Soda (any soda will do)
1 Cup of Corn Starch
1 and 1/4 cups cold water
food coloring if desired

Mix the soda and corn starch in cooking pan (this part the kids can do). Then add the water. Cook over medium heat until mixture is like firm mash potatoes and pulls from the side of the pan.

Let cool. Use like play dough. Let dry and paint if desired. Will last forever.
More Fun Soda ideas for kids at:
http://www.armhammer.com/brochure/

Mister Roger's Version:
1 cup of salt
2 cups of flour
cold water to make firm paste

To the best of my memory from when my son watched this years ago...

Mix salt and flour (this part the kids can do. Add water until firm like cookie dough. Use like play dough.

SLIME:
Why do kids like this stuff.. Ukkkk.... Anyway...

From the 20 Mule team Borax site:
1 quart jar with lid.

1/3 cup regular Elmer's Glue (not school glue)
1/3 cup of water

Shake together in the jar.

Then:

Make a saturated solution of Borax in 1/3 cup of water. Just keep adding borax until no more will mix in.

Then:
Pour off borax water into quart jar with pre-mixed glue stuff. Add food color. Shake until blended...

UKKK...
More Borax Recipes at:
http://www.purex.com/documents/borax.pdf


Bubbles:

From another homeschooling Mom name long lost.

Corn Syrup Bubbles

2 T. Corn Syrup
4 T Dish Soap
2 cup of water

Mix together without raising foam. Use old bubble wands, or make your own,

More Recipes using other ingredients at:

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_5a.html#Bubble%20Recipes

For more ideas Check out these Frugal Living Books!
Complete Tightwad Gazzette
The Complete Tightwad Gazzette

Declare Your Finanacial Independence
Declare Your Financial Independence

Complete Cheapskate
Mary Hunt's Complete Cheapskate

Miserly Moms
Miserly Moms

You Can Afford to Stay Home With your Kids
You can Afford to stay Home WIth your Kids