Glue

Materials

• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• Small saucepan
• Small bowl
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3/4 cup cold water

Directions

1. Mix water, corn syrup, and vinegar in saucepan.
2. Bring to a full, rolling boil.
3. In bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water.
4. Add this mixture slowly to the hot mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture returns to a boil.
5. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
6. When cooled, pour into another container and let stand overnight before using.

Homemade Paste

Materials

• 1/2 cup flour
• Cold water
• Saucepan
• Food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Add cold water to flour until mixture is as thick as cream.
2. Simmer and stir in saucepan for 5 minutes.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired.
4. This wet, messy paste takes a while to dry.

Papier-Mache Paste

Materials

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup flour
• 5 cups lightly boiling water
• Large saucepan

Directions

1. Mix flour into 1 cup water until mixture is thin and runny.
2. Stir this mixture into lightly boiling water.
3. Gently boil and stir 2-3 minutes.
4. Cool before using.

No-Cook Paste

Materials

• Bowl
• 1/2 cup flour
• Water
• Salt

Directions

1. In bowl, mix flour with enough water to make a mixture that's gooey, but not runny.
2. Add a pinch of salt; stir.

Excerpted from The Toddler's Busy Book , Meadowbrook Press