Modeling clay is an easy way for children to express themselves.If you help your kids make their own clay, they will have more fun with the activity.It usually takes less than a couple of hours to make all-natural modeling clay with ingredients from your kitchen in your slow cooker.You can operate the slow cooker, but the kids can measure the ingredients, help with stirring, and color the pieces of clay in their favorite shades for a fun, rainy day activity.
Step 1: Make sure the slow cooker is ready.
To cook clay in your slow cooker, it is important to preheat it.Set the temperature to low by plugging it in.The slow cooker will be able to heat up slowly.Children can help with the measuring and mixing of ingredients, but an adult should be in charge of the slow cooker.
Step 2: The wet ingredients should be mixed with the dry ingredients.
In the slow cooker's bowl, add 2 cups (250 g) of flour, 1 cup (128 g), cornstarch, and 300 g of salt.They should be well blended using a wooden spoon or whisk.If you want to make a wheat-free version of the clay, use rice flour.
Step 3: Bring the water and oil with you.
After you mix the dry ingredients in the slow cooker, you should get 2 cups of hot water and 10 grams of canola oil.All of the dry ingredients must be fully incorporated in the mixture.It is not necessary to use boiling water.You can fill your measuring cup with water by turning the tap on your sink to hot.Canola can be replaced with any type of cooking oil.Vegetables, corn, and olive oils will work well.
Step 4: Turn up the heat when you cover the slow cooker.
Put the lid on the slow cooker once all of the clay ingredients are mixed.Allow the mixture to cook for 30 minutes after you turn the heat up.If you put a damp towel under the slow cooker lid, it will help it cook quicker.
Step 5: Put the clay in a container for 30 minutes.
After the clay has been cooked for a while, remove the lid and stir the mixture well.Allow the clay to cook once more, and then close the slow cooker.The time it takes for the clay to finish cooking can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.The longer the clay takes to cook, the bigger your slow cooker is.After the first half hour, if your clay forms a ball, it's finished cooking.
Step 6: The clay should come together in 30 minutes.
After the first half hour, check on your clay in 30 minute intervals.After half an hour, stir it.When it forms a ball as you stir, it is ready.
Step 7: Allow the clay to cool down.
When the clay is done cooking, remove the bowl insert from the slow cooker and stir it again.Allow the dough to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer it to a clean, flat surface.It is a good idea to line your table with wax paper before placing clay on it.
Step 8: The clay needs to be kneaded.
Clean hands should be used to knead the clay.Pay attention to the texture of the clay and decide if you need to add any more ingredients.When handling clay, be careful.It could still be hot.If the clay is too sticky, you can mix it with some cornstarch.If the clay is too dry, mix it with some water and sprinkle it.
Step 9: The clay should be separated into several pieces.
Break the clay into several pieces once it feels smooth.If you want to make lots of different colors of clay, you have to decide how many pieces you need.If you want red, blue, and yellow clay, divide it into three equal portions.You can leave it as a single piece if you only want one color of clay.
Step 10: Food coloring is added to each piece.
Use a finger to poke a small hole in the center of each piece of clay.Add a few drops of food coloring to each piece of clay.It is best to start with a small amount of food coloring.You can always add more if the clay isn't as bright as you want.If you are using powdered food coloring to color your clay, you don't need to poke a hole in the dough pieces.You can sprinkle it over the mounds.
Step 11: To blend the coloring into the clay, squeeze it.
After you mix the food coloring with the clay, use clean hands to knead it.The color of the clay should be evenly distributed.The clay is ready to play with once it is colored.Store the clay in a container to prevent it from drying out.If it's stored correctly, it will last for three to four months.