Play Dough. You love it or you hate it. Unless you're like me and clear cut black/white makes you edgy then you have a love/hate relationship with the smooshy, moldable stuff that preschoolers love. Yes it's messy but any mom with a parenting book or internet access knows the developmental benefits of giving your kids a chunk of this stuff. Add in some plastic utensils and cookie cutters and your Mom of the Year Award will be in the mail!
I, however, am not a fan of the store bought stuff. It's too dry, hard, full of chemicals and too expensive for what it really is. So, we make our own. Then we get all the fun science, math lessons that go along with the cooking of it too! Here is our favorite recipe:
In a saucepan combine:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
Add and whisk until smooth:
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring (this is where it gets fun! Be creative. Make pastels, dark bold colors, combine colors, etc. but use the liquid coloring. The color will darken as it cools.)
Cook over medium heat (I prefer medium low) until the play doh is nearly set. Don't let it get completely set at this point or it will be too dry later on.
Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or another extract that smells good but is clear in color or it will change the color of you play doh) and stir until blended.
Remove from heat and knead play doh until smooth. Store it in a sealed plastic bag or bowl and this stuff will seriously keep for months.
And, if your 6 month old decides to eat a chunk, no nasty chemicals to hurt her!
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