We are really big on play dough over here, at all ages. It's one of our go to open play activities. The kids will start with one project and inevitably it will evolve into something totally different within a few minutes. Today the girls made dinosaur land. We use it so often that it's just too expensive to keep buying. There are thousands of recipes floating around the internet but this one has been the most foolproof for me, and only requires a few ingredients and about 5 minutes. I also think homemade play dough lasts longer, and is less likely to dry out quickly the way traditional brands can. I like too add a few drops of kid friendly essential oils. Not only does it give the play dough a lovely smell, some essential oil specialists think kids can benefit from the oils on their hands as they play. I usually add lavender but its fun to be creative with oils and colors. Again, just be sure the oil you choose is kid friendly. I've also made this with olive oil and no essential oils which smelled fruity and yummy too!
Recipe:
2 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Salt
2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
1 Cup Boiling Water
10 Drops Essential Oil
Food Coloring
Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large bowl. (You can find cream of tartar in the spice aisle or order in larger quantities online). In a smaller bowl mix your essential oil into the cooking oil then slowly stir into the dry ingredients. Drop food coloring into the boiling water and mix. I don't get too carried away with the colors so the kids don't get any dye on their hands, plus I don't mind the look of a more faded color. Once the food coloring has dissolved, slowly stir the water into the mixture. Keep stirring until the mixture forms a ball. Once it's cool you can knead the dough for a few minutes to create a smoother texture. Store in an airtight container (I use a large ziplock bag).
