Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Moral Tales: A Program on Making Choices for Grades 2-3

Leader Resource 1: Modeling Dough Recipe

Part of Moral Tales

This recipe will make enough modeling dough for two or three children to use in Session 9: Generosity.

This can be messy. Use smocks or old tee shirts.

For each batch, you will need:

  • a very large mixing bowl
  • waxed paper
  • a measuring cup
  • a tablespoon
  • mixing spoons

You will also need:

  • food coloring in a variety of colors
  • pint-sized sealable sandwich bag or plastic container, one for each child in the younger group who will receive some modeling dough

Mix these ingredients:

  • 3 cups of water
  • 3 TBSP vegetable oil
  • 3 cups of salt
  • 6 cups of flour

Calculate how many batches you need to make, so that each child in the younger group you will visit receives a portion of the modeling dough.

Divide the ingredients (except food coloring) into equal parts and have small groups of children each mix up and knead a batch of white modeling dough in a large mixing bowl. Add extra flour if the modeling dough is sticky.

When the ingredients are mixed, divide the modeling dough into smaller portions for the children to give to the younger children. Invite each child to choose a color they think a younger child might especially enjoy and add food coloring to a portion of the modeling dough, kneading it on top of waxed paper. Note: food coloring mess can be reduced by making an indentation in the modeling dough for the food coloring and covering it over with white dough before kneading to mix it in.

Have volunteers add color to extra portions for a group of younger children that is larger than this group. Or, if the younger group is smaller, some of the children in this group can mix batches to give to other youngsters in the congregation or to leave in the congregation for use by anyone.

Place finished modeling dough in the Ziploc baggies or Tupperware containers.