Play dough is decidedly a preschool activity, just smelling the stuff brings back whimsical images of napping on mats and building blocks. But why pigeon hole this awesome stuff to preschoolers? If you haven’t made a batch of play dough is ages, go ahead and watch the magic that happens when you plop a big blob of homemade play dough down in front of your older children (or yourself). Aside from developing their fine motor, communication and imagination skills, squeezing homemade play dough between your fingers is just plain fun! Here’s how to make the best ever, no-cook play dough recipe in just 4 minutes, that will lasts for 6 months!
If you have never tried making your own play dough, this is the time to give it a try. It’s very different to store bought play dough, being much softer and lasting a whole lot longer.
You need:
- 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
- food colouring (optional)
- few drops glycerine (optional adds more shine!)
Method:
- Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
- Add food colouring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients (colour optional)
- Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
- Add the glycerine (optional)
- Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
- (If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)
Voila!
Recipe from theimaginationtree.com, check out their post about how the benefits of using play dough for young children are wonderful and the play possibilities are endless!
Last month, I made up a batch of gingerbread play dough for my 9 yr old daughter. She had a blast making spicy scented play treats for the holidays and I liked it too as a stress reliever. You’re never too old for pretend play.
Exactly!
I just got this recipe yesterday from the Weybridge School play group. Can’t wait to try it. I gave up on the commercial play dough.