Virtual Family Fun Night: Puppet Time Machine Theatre

For this Virtual Family Fun Night, Columbia’s own Puppet Time Machine Theatre presents It’s About Time! Tune in to Facebook at 6:00 to celebrate the exhibition Design by Time with songs and laughs that explore the concept of time. Plus, make an art project with CMA staffer Sherrie Belton. Free. 

DIY Air-Dry Clay
Note: Adult supervision recommended. This activity requires use of a stove.

Materials

•  Medium saucepan
•  2 cups baking soda
•  1 cup corn starch
• 1¼ cup cold water
• Wooden or plastic spoon
• Medium mixing bowl
• Damp paper towel
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Small, fun items to fossilize (leaves, small toy, buttons, etc.)

Instructions

1.  Add baking soda, corn starch, and cold water to a saucepan. Combine with a wooden or plastic spoon. 
2. Cook over medium heat for about five minutes, stirring constantly. Your mixture will transform before your eyes! It will look like milk at first, then marshmallow fluff, then mashed potatoes. If your mixture doesn’t thicken after about five minutes, add more cornstarch one tablespoon at a time. Reduce heat if mixture starts to rapidly boil. 
3. Once your mixture has thickened to the consistency of mashed potatoes, carefully transfer your clay to a medium mixing bowl. Cover bowl with a damp paper towel and wait for your clay to cool. 
4. Once the mixture has cooled, dump out to start creating. You can put down parchment paper for easy cleanup. 
5. Form your clay into a ball about the size of an adult fist. Then smash it into a pancake! Your clay pancake should be about ½ inch thick. 
6. Now it’s time to freeze your favorite small item in time. Press a small item into your clay pancake. The more details you desire, the harder you should press your item into the clay. Carefully lift your item and check out the fun print it left behind. 
7.  Leave your clay out overnight to harden. If you’re not done creating, store clay in an airtight container. 

Bonus Activities: 

1.  Go on a nature walk to collect small items to fossilize or freeze in time. 
2.  Punch a hole in the top of your clay pancake before it dries, add string once it has hardened, then hang it in your favorite place. 
3.  Add paint and other decorative items to your hardened clay.