Ideas on how to use bicarbonate of soda and other basic cleaning products in sensory play are now available at www.dri-pak.co.uk/kidsfun.html.
The company produces 500g packs of bicarbonate of soda and traditional soap flakes, key ingredients for the likes of play dough, crayons and bath tub paints.
Play dough
- To make playdough, mix 400g bicarbonate of soda, 100g cornflour, 250ml water and 1tbsp vegetable oil.
- Heat the mixture gently until it becomes the consistency of mashed potatoes.
- Leave under a damp cloth.
- Once the mixture is cool, divide into separate trays, add a few drops of food colouring and mix thoroughly into the dough.
Soap flake crayons
- Add 2tbsp hot water to one cup of soap flakes and mix thoroughly. (It will be extremely thick and difficult to stir.)
- Spoon the mixture into a few small bowls, add food colouring as required and stir until the mixture has the texture of a thick paste.
- Press spoonfuls of the mixture into either a mould or an ice cube tray, and place in a dry area for one week to allow the crayons to set.
- Once dry, remove the crayons from the moulds and allow to dry for one day before using.
Bath tub paints
- To make bath paints, add 100g soap flakes to half a pint of warm water.
- Whisk until the mixture is the consistency of beaten egg whites.
- Spoon the mixture into plastic cups and add food colouring as desired.