New pre-school year = new batch of DIY play dough.
The kids love its’ texture and elasticity, and so do I. (Is that a surprise, coming from a potter?) Sure, name-brand, non-toxic Play-Doh can be purchased, but I find the substance I make handles better and doesn’t dry out as quickly.
The easy recipe from The Best Ideas for Kids is made with only a few ingredients: flour, cream of tartar, salt, vegetable oil, and water. This year, I added yellow food coloring and vanilla flavor.
Whenever the kids play with play dough–and I mean, every single time, all year long–this is the conversation:
Another Adult: “What will happen if they eat it?”
Me: “Don’t worry, it’s non-toxic.”
Another Adult: “Seriously, will the kids get sick?”
Me: “We could make cookies out of this stuff!”
Hon, do you think this year I should make a sign that says “Add eggs and bake!“?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- food coloring
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and cream of tartar. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, add food coloring to the water. Then add the colored water and vegetable oil to a large pot. Mix together.
- Add the dry ingredients to your pot and mix.
- Cook over low to medium heat until the dough starts to form and becomes drier, stirring often.
- Once the mixture starts to form a body and looks fully cooked, take it off the heat. (Tip: Spoon it onto a plate or surface to cool.) Let the dough cool first before touching.
- Once cool, knead the dough for 5 minutes to make the dough soft. If your dough is not soft, continue kneading for another 5 minutes. If you find it is still too dry add a little bit more oil and knead in.
Tips from The Best Ideas for Kids:
How to Keep Playdough Soft
First wrap your playdough in saran wrap then store in an air-tight container. You’ll notice that playdough will go hard if left out – so the less air that can get to the playdough when storing, the longer it will last!
How Do I Make Playdough Soft Again?
If your playdough dries out and turns out to be a little dry after making it, try adding in a little more oil first. You can knead the oil in with your hands. You can also knead in a little bit of water.
Naomi M. Gruer 