Making “play” dough at home couldn’t be easier and is a quick and inexpensive way to get something very close to the stuff you buy in the store (what’s it called???). However, there are a few different recipes out there and they are definitely not created equal. There are pros and cons to each….
The easiest:
Mix 1 cup water and a few drops of your food coloring color of choice in a bowl. Add 1 cup salt and stir. Add one cup flour and mix with a spoon until you have a sticky mess. Add more flour until you have something you can handle that isn’t so sticky. Turn out onto a floured or non stick surface and knead as you would bread. You can then roll it out like cookie dough and use cookie cutters or other fun objects to make shapes.
The pros: you have dough in a matter of minutes and your child can help with every step. There’s nothing toxic here so even if they took a taste, it’s not a problem.
The cons: really messy and sticky and this dough is not stiff enough to use as you would model clay. It’s really more just something fun to play with but it doesn’t last either.
Not as easy, but all-around better:
In a medium saucepan mix: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup water, 2 teaspoons vegetable oil and as many drops of your favorite food coloring as you like (it’s better to mix the food coloring with the water before adding, actually).
Put pan on stove and slowly heat mixture, stirring constantly. Stir until mixture is sticky and hot and then you know it is done. Take the pan off the stove and turn the dough out onto a plate or piece of waxed or parchment paper. Let the dough cool and then invite your kids to play.
The pros: you wind up with something that is really close to the real thing and is fun to use in the same way. It’s great as model clay and if you store in airtight baggies or plastic containers, it will actually last.
The cons: the preparation method is not kid friendly, and isn’t making it half the fun? The dough is too hot to handle for at least 15-20 minutes and most kids want to jump in right away!
We had such fun with the dough, it kind of got me thinking-what if we made purple bread one day with beet juice or green pizza dough and snuck in some spinach or something that they wouldn’t normally eat? Maybe blue pancakes with blueberries blended in the batter?
These were our tried and true methods, but then we found this wacky guide that takes making “play” dough to a whole new level: See About.com
August 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
its fun and easy
August 6th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
As a Grammy to one 4 yr. old and brother who is 5 yrs old. These tasks help out a lot. Keep on surprising us older ones who can’t afford your magizine but watch your show everyday.
Many Thanks, Carolyn Leikam
August 6th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
thanx this is something i can do wit my siblings
August 6th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
This article reminds me so much of the time I used to spend with my grandmother. We made play dough all the time. It was one of those things that sticks with you and even today (I made this stuff 25 years ago) I can smell it and remember her kitchen and all the fun we had. Thanks for a great blast from the past. (and a good memory). Really great way to spend time with children and its really got nothing in it to hurt children even if swallowed.
Thanks Erica Vaughan
August 7th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I used to make a similar recipe when working with preschoolers like the first one you have except we added Kool Aid for color and scent. And, a tsp of cream of tartar was added too. I always see the cooked version posted on blogs but the kids can’t help with that one.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I COULD NOT PRINT OUT ALL 5 PAGES. ONLY THE FIRST PAGE PRINTED. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES.
PLEASE REPLY.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Here’s an edible version, but not as colorful. I guess you could probably add Kool-Aid for color, but it just won’t color it exactly the color you’re looking for and might flavor it funky! I guess you’d have to try it.
1½ C. peanut butter
1 C. powdered milk, sifted
1 C. powdered sugar
1 to 1 1/3 C. light corn syrup
Combine ingredients and knead until smooth. Can be played with as clay or eaten as treats. Roll into small balls and roll in powdered sugar, or play with it!
August 8th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I thought people would enjoy this recipe for a play dough cookie… These ARE a lot more time consuming to make, but the kids LOVE to play with the dough and create their own designs. They like to make stars, mix the colors up and cut out their favorite shapes. I also find that if I do most of the prep work like form the dough into multiple balls for rolling (before chilling), it makes it a lot better because the dough softens quickly which makes it difficult to form the coils.
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
assorted colors of paste food coloring
1.In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.
2.In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir till soft dough forms. Divide dough into fourths. Tint each with a different food color. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
3.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Working with half of each color, shape dough into 3/4 inch balls and for each cookie place 1 pink, 1 green, 1 blue and 1 orange ball together to make 1 large ball. Shape into a 12 inch long roll (like a snake), starting at one end, coil roll to make a 2 3/4 inch round cookie. Place cookies 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Carefully insert lollipop sticks into bottoms of cookies if you want to make it more fun.
4.Bake cookies for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container.
August 8th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
You can also try adding cocoa powder into the recipe for a sweet smelling dough. Any smell can be added really. I have used lemon extract, vanilla, bananas, coconut, pine, glitter,etc to create tons of new experiences. Oh add the glitter after the dough is cooked or it will burn!
August 8th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I like the cooked version because it does last and last. I never had much money for toys for my children, it was easy to make this recipe from things I had in the kitchen anyway. My recipe had powdered alum in it which helped to make the dough “tight”. Alum is what makes pickles crispy and shrunk in. (smaller than the original cucumber)PLaydough is so good for muscle strength in the hands as well as co-ordination.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
MY DAUGHTER NESSIE IS A PICKY EATER TOO, BBS.
[img]http://i34.tinypic.com/20k3v9v.gif[/img]
August 11th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I remember when my brother was little we used to make “play” dough that was made out of peanut butter. The really nice thing about it was that you could let younger kids play with it because it was edible.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I can’t wait to make it for my kids!
August 11th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
My Nan made play dough for us when we were young and it is something I have made for my children, their friend, and I make it now for my grandchildren. I have worked with children and everyone loves play dough even the parents will try and make a little something when they are waiting. I have used the dried tempra powder paint to make colours more bold, ex. the Halloween oranges and blacks. It doesn’t smell as nice but no one seems to mind.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:53 am
i need help how do i post my own blogg??