CHEAP, MESSY IDEAS

CHEAP, MESSY IDEAS
Here are a few low- or no-cost ideas for messy fun:
Make a big pot of spaghetti -- not to eat, but to play with. Kids love feeling the noodles squish between their fingers. For a literary tie-in, read "Strega Nona," an Italian fable about an old woman and her magic pasta pot.
Spray a dollop of shaving cream onto a cookie sheet and spread it around. Draw pictures or write letters in the foam. Put a piece of paper over the shaving cream, lift it up gently, and you have a picture of a cloud.
If you don't have a sand box -- or even if you do -- fill a large plastic container with sand, rice, macaroni, cornmeal or birdseed. You can tint rice and dried pasta with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and food coloring.
Play in the kitchen. Make bread or cookies without worrying so much about being neat. Feel the flour and sugar. Knead the dough. Have fun.
Don't want a huge mess? Fill rubber gloves with different materials -- sugar, flour, salt, etc. -- and seal them. Let kids explore the various consistencies.
When making play dough, add oatmeal, grits, glitter or other materials to see how the texture and appearance changes. You can also add smells, such as almond or peppermint extract, vanilla or pumpkin pie spice.
Next time it rains (if there's no threat of lightning), go outside and dance around. Take shakers and other waterproof instruments with you and do a rain dance.
FOR BEGINNERS
If you're ready to get messy but don't know where to begin, try one of these resources:
"Kid's Squish Book," by Loris Theovin Bree (Marlor Press, $8.95) --An illustrated guidebook filled with messy, gooey activities for kids. Easy-to-follow instructions include recipes for papier-m & acirc;ch & eacute;, play dough and edible paints.
"Mudworks: Creative Clay, Dough and Modeling Experiences," MaryAnn F. Kohl (Bright Ring Pub., $14.95) -- More than 100 recipes for modeling mixtures, many of which can be made using household items.
"The Toddler's Busy Book" and "The Preschooler's Busy Book," by Trish Kuffner (Meadowbrook, $9.95) -- Great ideas for things to do with your children, including money-saving recipes for paint, paste, glitter and more.
Knight Ridder Tribune