How to Make Modeling Clay Without Heat

How to Make Modeling Clay Without Heat
Written By
Thomas McNish
Thomas McNish
Published: Sep 14, 2011
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read

Modeling clay is a simple, malleable material. Several recipes for modeling clay involve heating ingredients on a stove or baking them in the oven. While these recipes work just fine, they're not as kid-friendly as the no-cook recipes. A few no-heat modeling clay recipes are available, so experiment with them to find out which one works best for you.

Recipe #1

Add 1 cup of salt, 2 tsp. of vegetable oil, 1 cup of cold water, 3 cups of flour and 1 tbsp. of food coloring (if you want to make colored clay) to a bowl.

Add 2 tbsp. of corn starch to the mix gradually as you knead it. Continue kneading until the texture of the mixture resembles raw bread dough.

Use the modeling clay to create objects. Store any leftover clay in air-tight containers, and if possible, refrigerate the clay for best keeping.

Recipe #2

Add 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of salad oil and 1/2 cup of water to a bowl.

Mix the ingredients by hand until they have a bread dough-like consistency.

Use the modeling clay to create objects. Store any leftover clay in air tight containers, and if possible, refrigerate the clay for best keeping.

Recipe #3

Add 2.5 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of water to a bowl.

Mix the ingredients by hand until they have a bread dough-like consistency.

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Use the modeling clay to create objects. Store any leftover clay in air tight containers, and if possible, refrigerate the clay for best keeping.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Salt
  • Vegetable oil
  • Flour
  • Corn starch
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • Salad oil
  • Thomas McNish

    Thomas McNish has been writing since 2005, contributing to Salon.com and other online publications. He is working toward his Associate of Science in computer information technology from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.

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