The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and school is in full swing. For those with gluten-free kids, that means more time indoors doing indoor activities. But before you -- or your child's teacher -- pull out the macaroni necklaces, Play-Doh, glue stick or crayons, take a minute to evaluate the ingredients. Gluten likes to sneak into craft supplies.

Package up some gf elbow noodles, spaghetti, or any pasta that may be used in crafts or sensory bins and send them to school with your child. Talk to your teacher to find out what brands of supplies are used, and make sure that only non-powdered gloves are used if they are required during messy play.

Here is a small list of gluten-free products that may be used during craft time:

• Colorations Dough, which is also free of most allergens.
• Most Crayola products, except Play-Doh, do not contain gluten. But the company warns their products may have come into contact with Play-Doh on machinery.
• Palmer Paint Products, found at Walmart or Michaels.
• Scotch Brand tape.
• Elmer's glue and glue sticks.
• Silly Putty.
• Colgate shaving cream.
• Johnson and Johnson lotion.
• Moonsand (Nickelodeon's Floam is NOT gluten free).

And here are some handy recipes if you are in need of some indoor messy play. Have fun!

From Cel Kids:

Gluten-free Play-Doh
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cooking oil
Food coloring, if desired

Mix ingredients in small saucepan. Cook and stir on low heat for 3-5 minutes or until it forms and begins to look slightly dry. Place on wax paper and cool. Store in plastic container.

Edible custard is a fun activity for kids stuck indoors. Pour it onto a tray and let them practice writing, fill a plastic bag and let them squish it around or just let them "cook" with you. From "The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun" by Carol Stock Kranowitz:

Pouring Custard
2 tablespoons custard powder or cornflour
1 tablespoon of sugar
Dash of vanilla
2 cups milk, or milk substitute

Whisk ingredients in microwave-safe dish and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk again, than microwave another 2 minutes more, or until thick.