How to Make Bread Dough Clay and Items

This is an easy and fun activity to do with children.

1. In a mixing bowl, combine and blend the flour and the salt.
   
   
2. With your knuckles, make a "well" or "pocket" in the center of the dry mixture.
   
   
3. Pour about 1/2 the water into the well.
   
   
4. Mix the "dough" with a fork or use your hands.
   
   
5. Add the remaining water.
   
   
6. Continue to work the dough (knead) with your hands until the "stickiness" is gone, and the dough feels smooth to the touch (like clay), and it is not crumbly. (If the dough is too crumbly, add a few DROPS of water at a time to moisten the dough.) (If the dough feels too wet, add a PINCH of flour at a time, and knead it more.)
   
   
7. Set your clay onto a flat work space, and shape the project of your choice. (See "Tips")
   
   
8. Place the shaped object(s) on an ungreased cookie sheet/pizza pan.
   
   
9. Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees.
   
   
10. Bake your creation for about an hour. (Take a peek at it after 45 minutes, and then again every five minutes to avoid burning your creation.)
    
    
11. When baked, remove your project from the oven, and allow it to completely cool and harden.
    
    
12. Paint, or varnish your creation. (See "Things You'll Need: Optional")
    
    
13. Finished.
    
    

• Create various flat shapes with cookie cutters. (Stars, animals, ovals, round circles, leaves, etc.)
• Try using the egg on the paint after you paint the sculpture and then bake it at the same tempature for a couple of minutes.
• Baskets can be made by weaving the dough and laying it atop an upside down metal bowl. Bake as usual. The inside of your basket will have contact marks from the bowl, but the basket will stand up and hold items well.
• If you are planning to hang your creation (such as a tree or wall ornament), poke a small hole in your object where you can affix a hanger/ribbon/string, etc. Use a kitchen skewer, the point of a knitting needle, a nail, or a pencil.
• Sculpt your own creation.

• Never leave children unsupervised when using a hot oven.
• This recipe is not for eating.

• 2 Cups of regular white, unsifted flour.
• 1/2 Cup of plain table salt
• 3/4 Cups of water (fresh from the tap)
• Large mixing bowl
• Flat surface to work
• Oven
• Optional: One egg. If you want a shiny finish on your object, brush it with a coat of slightly beaten raw egg before baking. (Do not perform this option if you are going to paint the object.)
• Optional: Paint. Apply paint or varnish after your project is baked and completely cooled. Use ordinary crafting acrylics to paint. Add crafter's varnish for a shiny finish.