We are in great need of more play dough, so I pulled out the old recipes and found a few fun (mainly non-etible) recipes for the kids.
Play Dough
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1/4 cup salt
- food coloring
Mix all ingredients in pan, adding food coloring last. Over medium heat, stir until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth (be careful it's hot!). Place in plastic bag or airtight container when cooled. This lasts a LONG time!
For a fun twist, you can add cinnamon or different scents to the play dough (green=mint, red=cherry, orange=orange, etc...but beware this will tempt your children to want to eat it!)
Finger Paints
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 c cornstarch
- 2 c cold water
- food coloring
- dish detergent
- 4 plastic or paper cups
In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar and cornstarch together. Then add the water and mix a little more. Cook over low heat, constantly stirring, until well blended, about 5 minutes. Remove from the stove; cool; and pour into the plastic or paper cups. Be careful with food coloring since it can stain, but add a little of it to each cup and then a drop of detergent (helps with the cleanup!).
Kool-Aid Playdough
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup water
Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool-Aid® in a medium pot. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes. When mixture forms a ball in pot, remove. Knead until smooth. Put in a plastic bag and refrigerate.
Peanut Butter Play Dough- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup instant nonfat dry milk*
Mix together until smooth. This is okay for your kids to eat as they play! *For milk allergies, you may substitute flour for the instant nonfat dry milk. I don't recommend making this if you have peanut allergies!
Julie R.
AG, CA
