Day 20: Homemade Play Dough

The break in the weather the last couple of days has been refreshing.  Don't get me wrong--the sunshine and the month of August, especially, goes a long way for us here in the rainy state.  But there is something about a good cool off to refresh the landscape, the garden, and those of us who have been parched by the sun with all of the outdoor activity.  Today's craft is perfect for days like these.

Homemade Play Dough

makes about 2.5 Cups

1 1/2 cups of flour
3/4 cups of salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 TB vegetable oil
1/2 TB cream of tarter
*food coloring - I used Wilton for deep hues

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients into a saucepan.  Children can help with this step

Adults only:
Set your stove top to medium-low (about a 2.5 on a glass top stove). Stand by the pan and stir occasionally. When the batter look is gone and the ingredients start staying together when you stir (5-8 minutes), remove the pan from the heat. Scoop dough into four sections and lay place onto wax paper. Use a toothpick to add food coloring to each section and knead.  Make sure you check for heat!  Don't burn yourself.  If you choose to knead the food coloring like I did, it may STAIN your hands a bit.  Another option would be to put dough into a mixer and add food coloring that way.  Knead or mix dough until it has become smooth and ready for use. 

Store play dough in an air tight container or zip block bags for future use.  Home made play dough makes great gifts, too!

A post you may have missed--

Day 17, 18 and 19: The Fall, Picnics and Games Outdoors

Recipe via Art Nest