365 Days of Creative Play is chock- full of excellent crafts and play ideas for children starting from age 2 years and up.  The list of crafts in this book is endless- from napkin holders to various crafts taken directly from nature.  If you are having a children's birthday party or the kids are feeling the summer doldrums, you must get this book !!

This week's Craft of the Week is brought to us by the authors of 365 Days of Creative Play, Sheila Ellison and Judith Gray.  Their craft book is a huge collection of easy to do and fun activities for the entire family- it's like having  a complete craft camp on your bookshelf! This week we a featuring two of their terrific crafts; Rock Crystals and Homemade Playdough.

What you need:

• 1 cup of salt
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup of water
• Cookie Cutters
• Rolling pin or narrow bottle
• Food coloring optional)

What you do:

1. Put the salt and flour in a deep unbreakable bowl.
2. Drape your child in an old shirt or smock and allow her to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly with hand or a wooden spoon.  Slowly add water to which some drops of food coloring have been added.
3. Continue to mix, then knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic without being sticky.  Dump the dough onto a flat floured surface and roll it out with the rolling pin or bottle.
4. Use cookie cutters to make shapes or provide child with other cutting and poking utensils such as plastic knives, bottle tops and lids, chopsticks, and assorted plastic shapes.

Reprinted by permission of the Author
Copyright 1995 by Sheila Ellison and Judith Gray. All rights reserved

Play Dough Galore!