Here in Boston it’s a snowy, cold day and we’re inside. On a day like today you need an activity that engages kids and the grown-ups. A project to stick with for a little while, no pun intended. A friend suggested the toddler and I make homemade play-dough today. So I asked for recipes on Facebook and here is my favorite:
3 c. salt
3/4 c. vegetable oil
4 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
6 c. water – add food coloring of your choice…
Cook all ingredients over medium heat until thick, about 2 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid burning.
1/6 of this recipe is enough for 1 child. Store playdough in an air-tight container.
Also, another friend suggested adding food flavoring extracts to make the dough smell yummy- like vanilla or almond. Yum!
Lois Backon of Families and Work Institute suggests we also, “Clean out your kitchen cabinets of pots and pans and let him sort and bang and make music, while he learns the names of them.”
What are your snow-day learning activities that both kids and adults can enjoy?
2 Comments
Is this recipe correct? Shouldn’t there be flour in it somewhere?
Oops. yes. After posting this recipe I actually tried another one with flour though that I liked better. It turned out amazingly well. I added almond extract for yummy smell.
Colored Playdough (http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.html)
Materials
* 1 cup water
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup salt
* 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
* Food coloring
* Saucepan
* 1 cup flour
Directions
1. Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm.
2. Remove from heat and add flour.
3. Stir, then knead until smooth. The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to omit this ingredient if you don’t have it on hand.
4. Store this dough in an airtight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.