Social Studies Activity - Making a Salt Map

How can I increase my children's interest in social studies this summer? - For More Fun
Answer: Master the art of making salt maps for your first activity. It's fun and a handy skill for future social-studies projects. Select a location that your children will be studying next year, and make a salt map of it to familiarize them with its geography. For example, a third- or fourth-grader could be studying his or her state while a middle-schooler might be studying other countries.
Here is a recipe that you can use. Mix together 2 cups of flour and a cup of salt, then add 1/4 cup of water. Knead the mixture until it is smooth. You might have to add more water if the mixture is too dry or flour if it is too sticky. The dough is then spread into the shape of the map that is being made. If you like, you can add dough in areas where there are mountains and make indentations for rivers and lakes. Bake the map in the oven at 300 F for about an hour or until it is hard. After the dough has cooled, you can paint the map and label cities, rivers, mountains and other details.