Sensory & Science

HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH!!

The Best Recipe Ever: Combine in a large bowl: 3 cups flour, 1.5 cups salt, 6 tsp cream of tartar, 6 TBS oil, 3 cups water (color optional). Mix together (you might want gloves...let children help knead the dough!) Adults: Cook over low heat, stirring or folding constantly, in a large saucepan until a ball forms. COOL thoroughly. Knead. Store in a Ziploc bag.

Chocolate Playdough: 2 cups water, half cup salt, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 2 TBS oil, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa such as Hershey's baking cocoa, 2 cups flour. Mix it all together, cook in a pot over low heat. COOL, knead & store in a Ziploc.

Pumpkin Bread Playdough: 1 package pumpkin bread mix (such as Krusteaz), 2 cups flour, 1.5 cups salt, 6 TBS oil, 6 tsp cream of tartar, 3 cups water. Mix, cook over medium, COOL & knead.

Other variations: Use lemon poppy seed muffin mix instead of pumpkin bread, or 1 package strawberry cake mix, or try a new idea! The possibilities are endless.

Coffee Playdough: 3 cups flour, 1.5 cup salt, 6 TBS oil, 6 tsp cream of tartar, 3 cups water, the USED WET grounds from your morning coffee. Mix all, cook over medium heat, mixing until a ball forms. COOL, knead, & store.

Soothing Playdough: 3 cups flour, 3 TBS alum (in spice aisle at grocery store), 3/4 cup salt, 6 TBS oil 3 cups water, 1 cup (any brand) lavendar chamomile baby lotion. Liguid Waterbased Food Coloring Optional. Mix all ingredients, cook over medium heat, mixing until ball forms. COOL, knead...if it's a little too sticky add 2 TBS of flour or so until it's a desired consistency as you continue kneading.

TIP: Wash and dry child's hands thoroughly before each playdough use to prolong 'shelf life'...be sure Ziploc is sealed properly and this could last a month! A dark, cool cabinet is best.

Check back often! More tips & activities will be added every week.