• Glitter from salt

Bring some glitz to children’s projects by mixing 1 tablespoon liquid water colour with 2 tablespoons table salt or rock salt, then shake the salt and colouring in a plastic bag to distribute the colour evenly. Spread the mixture on paper towels on a flat microwaveable plate and microwave on High for 2 minutes. Cool and break up clumps with your fingers. Store in a dry, airtight container.

  • Play dough hair with a garlic press

Roll up a small ball of play dough, put it in a garlic press and slowly press out the strands. Use a small paintbrush to dab a little water on the spot where a strand will be attached; then press the piece in place with a toothpick or the pointed end of a small knitting needle.

  • Pasta art

Even little children can make beautiful abstract designs with this old favourite: look in your cupboard for stray, half-empty boxes of dried pasta. Make different shapes and sizes by breaking up long strands of spaghetti and lasagna, add small macaroni pieces and colour as desired with non-toxic food colouring. When dry, the possibilities are endless:

  1. Make a personal treasure chest by covering the top and sides of a shoe or cigar box with the pasta, using craft glue.
  2. Draw designs on folded construction paper or card stock and glue on pasta for a personal holiday or birthday card.
  3. String coloured macaroni or any tubular pasta to make necklaces and bracelets.
  4. Glue pasta shapes to hairclips, bobby pins and even belt buckles.

Credit: Reader’s Digest

Picture credit: Google