Super-simple homemade play dough
If you’ve got young grandchildren coming to your place regularly, and you want to find a way to engage them creatively, and get them using their hands, then why not try this really simple play dough recipe. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could have the youngsters help you make it (though this recipe involves boiling water, so you’ll need to supervise very closely).
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups plain flour
- 2 tablespoons of any kitchen oil (vegetable oil, olive oil, peanut oil, etc)
- ½ cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
Optional extras
- Food colouring (gel colouring works best, available from many kitchenware and craft stores)
- Flavour extracts/oils (also available from kitchenware and craft stores)*
How to do it:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Add the kitchen oil (and any flavoured extract you wish to use).
- Pour in your boiling water and mix everything together until it forms dough. If you’re not adding any colouring, you’re finished.
- If adding colouring, allow the dough to cool and then break apart into separate balls for each colour. Make a small well in the centre of each one and add a few drops of the gel colouring (you can use regular food colouring, but gel colours are more vibrant) and mix until the colour is even. For this part, it’s best to wear gloves and lay down some plastic wrap so you don’t stain your bench tops.
*The flavoured extracts are to counteract any unpleasant smells the dough may take on after a month or so. Just be sure to tell any little ones that the dough isn’t for eating (though it’s perfectly safe to do so, the sodium levels are very high).
Related links:
Make easy decorated mugs with your grandkids
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DIY watercolour ceramics are so easy and beautiful