One of my favorite activities when teaching day care was playing with play dough, yes, teacher had to have a piece of play dough to play with too!
This is an easy make at home play dough recipe that is super soft and not crumbly like the kind you buy in the store. So those parents who hate play dough because the “crumbs” get ground into the carpet should give this a try. So long as you store it in an airtight container or bag it can last for months.
This is a great way to sneak in some science as it shows how heat can affect a liquid and an turn it into a solid. You can roll it out and practice cutting out shapes with a plastic knife or roll it into a snake and then practice cutting with scissors.
It works with any of those name brand play dough toys you may have at home as well but a mini rolling pin, some cookie cutters and a plastic knife are really all you need to have fun.
Play Dough
2 c. all purpose flour
¾ c. salt
4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 c. lukewarm water
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
Food coloring
Stir together the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a large pot. Next add the water and oil and, if you are only making one color the food coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball. Remove from the heat and place on wax paper to cool slightly and then knead until smooth.
If you are making more than one color, divide the uncolored dough into as many portions as you wish and then put the dough in a quart size bag and add the food coloring and knead into the dough. Start with 5 drops of color and add more as necessary. Make sure to store in a zip lock bag or air tight container.