3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups salt

6 tsps. cream of tartar

3 cups cool water

3 tbsps. oil

food coloring (i.e., one color per recipe - mix the basics, or let the kids mix the clays)

Mix dry ingredients together in a big pot. Whisk the water and oil together in a bowl, then whisk in the food coloring for the clay color you’d like to make. Stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes. The test for "doneness" is when the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot and it can be pinched without sticking to your fingers (don’t burn yourself!). Turn it onto a board or a smooth counter and knead until it has a smooth and tough-but-elastic consistency. Store in an airtight container.