Custom Colored Play Dough*
My son chose to do earth tones this time
My kids LOVE helping to make this play dough. I actually think my 5 year old doesn't put his play dough away in hopes that means he'll get to help make more the next day. I have been working on stifling that behavior, because all though it's cheap to replace, mom's sanity is not and responsibility is priceless!
It can also be a great educational manipulative! Mixing colors (like making the brown in the pic to the left) is a great art lesson, and my son has used play dough to make the shapes of letters while learning the alphabet. He's made "tracks" using his hard plastic animals after reading a book about identifying animal tracks, etc. Play dough is like exercise equipment for a child's imagination!
*Since having to change our household to being gluten-free, we no longer use this play dough recipe, but we have invested in 2 buckets of Crayola Model Magic. I suggest you compare prices on Amazon to the price at your local craft store such as JoAnn's or Michaels. (Keep in mind both of those craft stores typically send out coupons for 40%-60% off one regular-priced item occasionally to email subscribers.) Crayola Model Magic does come in buckets of white if coloring is a concern for your children.
Custom Colored Play Dough:
In a large pot (don't put it on the stove yet, hold your horses!), mix together:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
3 cups water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
Now put it on the stove & cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is too thick to stir any more & it pulls away from the edges of the pan. Remove from heat & let it cook enough until it is able to safely handle. Knead until smooth (you absolutely have to let your kids help with this part, they love the feel of it, especially if it's still warm), mixing in any desired food coloring and/or fine glitter if desired. If you don't want to accidentally get food coloring on your hands (it doesn't wash off easily/quickly), wear a pear of disposable gloves for this step. It will keep indefinitely in an air tight container.
I've heard to keep it in the fridge, and we did for months until the fridge got so crowded and we forgot it out on the counter one night- no harm done. I don't think it matters at all if it's in the fridge, and my kids prefer it isn't because otherwise it is a bit stiff until it warms to room temperature. You decide what works for your family and just keep an eye on it to make sure there are no changes in smell or color indicating it's going bad (it is made from food ingredients, after all). Ours has always died due to kids forgetting to seal containers shut properly and drying out.
It can also be a great educational manipulative! Mixing colors (like making the brown in the pic to the left) is a great art lesson, and my son has used play dough to make the shapes of letters while learning the alphabet. He's made "tracks" using his hard plastic animals after reading a book about identifying animal tracks, etc. Play dough is like exercise equipment for a child's imagination!
*Since having to change our household to being gluten-free, we no longer use this play dough recipe, but we have invested in 2 buckets of Crayola Model Magic. I suggest you compare prices on Amazon to the price at your local craft store such as JoAnn's or Michaels. (Keep in mind both of those craft stores typically send out coupons for 40%-60% off one regular-priced item occasionally to email subscribers.) Crayola Model Magic does come in buckets of white if coloring is a concern for your children.
Custom Colored Play Dough:
In a large pot (don't put it on the stove yet, hold your horses!), mix together:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
3 cups water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
Now put it on the stove & cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is too thick to stir any more & it pulls away from the edges of the pan. Remove from heat & let it cook enough until it is able to safely handle. Knead until smooth (you absolutely have to let your kids help with this part, they love the feel of it, especially if it's still warm), mixing in any desired food coloring and/or fine glitter if desired. If you don't want to accidentally get food coloring on your hands (it doesn't wash off easily/quickly), wear a pear of disposable gloves for this step. It will keep indefinitely in an air tight container.
I've heard to keep it in the fridge, and we did for months until the fridge got so crowded and we forgot it out on the counter one night- no harm done. I don't think it matters at all if it's in the fridge, and my kids prefer it isn't because otherwise it is a bit stiff until it warms to room temperature. You decide what works for your family and just keep an eye on it to make sure there are no changes in smell or color indicating it's going bad (it is made from food ingredients, after all). Ours has always died due to kids forgetting to seal containers shut properly and drying out.