D.I.Y. Play dough Fun!

I love play dough! Who doesn't?

It's a great form of play that is divergent with endless possibilities and plenty of room for creativity. Children love it and they come up with the most amazing things if we just let them be. It's also educational; when I make it with my daughter, I'd tell her the measurement for the ingredients needed (Maths concept), what they're called (Vocabulary - Language), what they're for (e.g. salt for preservation - Science concept) and I let her mix and knead it (Fine Motor Skills).

Between commercial and home made play dough, I prefer the latter simply because:

a) Making it is part of the fun

b) It's more economical

c) Safe, non-toxic and edible (though not for eating, but in case they put it in their mouths, it's not the end of the world for us..)

d) We can make fresh batches everytime the old ones are stale or dirty.

Here's the recipe I usually use:

2 cups of flour

1 cup of salt

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 cup of hot water 

1 tablespoon of cooking oil

Food colouring (amount depends on how bright you want the colour to be)

Method: Mix dry ingredients followed by wet ingredients together. Knead until smooth and 'clean', as in it doesn't stick to your hands or the table. If it's sticky, add more flour. If too dry and crumbly, add a bit of water. Keep in airtight container. Should last about two weeks or more-depending on how tight the container is. It is even better to keep it refrigerated. If it starts to smell funny, discard and make a fresh batch.

My 'masterpieces':

 Meet the

residents of 

"Gumby-ville".

  Daughter's 'masterpieces':

"Mask"

"Thumbelina"

What other D.I.Y play ideas have you tried with your children at home? 



More play dough recipes to try as they yield different textures and consistency:

Oatmeal dough
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup flour
1/2 cup water

Combine ingredients and knead well. Finished projects can be painted when dry.

Baker's Clay
1 cup cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups cold water

Combine ingredients. Stir till smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until consistency is like dry mashed potatoes. Turn out onto plate or bowl, covering with damp cloth. When cooled, knead thoroughly until smooth.

Salt Dough
4 cups of salt
1 cup cornstarch

Combine with sufficient water to form a paste. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.

(Source: Creative Resources for the Early Childhood Classroom, 2nd edition by Judy Herr and Yvonne Libby)

Carpe Diem, ladies!

Becky