Favorite play dough recipe

During my years working with children, I have tried and tested many home made recipes for playdough. I must admit, I do cheat from time to time and buy it from the store, but nothing beats a fresh, warm and sweet smelling batch of dough. This recipe can keep for up to a month (sometimes longer) if stored in an air tight container or zip locked bag.

Who can play?

Children one year plus will love this multi sensory activity.

What do you need?

1 cup Flour

1/2 cup Salt

2 tbsp Cream of tartar

1 cup Water

1 tbsp oil

Bowl 

spoon

Pan

Chopping board 

Optional Food colouring and essence to enhanance play

You can double up on the ingredients for a bigger batch however, I have found that the dough gets stuck onto the pan during the cooking stage. 

What do you need to do?

1. Add all the dry ingredients to the pan.

2. Slowly pour in the wet ingredients whilst stirring. Stir until the ingredients are blended together.

3. Place on the stove (low light) constantly stir the mixture so that it does not stick to the pan.

4. When the mixture comes together and begins to look like dough, take it off the heat and place on a lightly floured chopping board.

5. Kneed the dough until it is just warn and has the texture of play dough.

6. At this stage you can add herbs, food colouring or any essence that is needed. Be careful when adding essence as too much will make the dough go soggy. 

7. If you find the dough becomes a little bit sticky over time, just add more flour.

What can your child learn?

• communication and language- talking about what they see, smell and feel. Listening to and following instructions.
• Physical development- Hand eye development. Small and large physical development when pinching, pulling and stretching the dough.
• Personal, social and emotional- Fun and enjoyment. Spending quality time with you will encourage self esteem and bonding. Playing with the dough can also have a therapeutic and stress relieving effect.
• Mathematics- Shape and capacity. Counting out ingredients.
• Understanding of the world- change of state 
• Literacy- Reading ingredient list 
• Expressive arts and design- creating models and designs with the dough and equipment.

Follow up activities:

1. Explore the dough with just your hands or with tools and utensils 

2. To develop scissor skills, encourage your child to cut the playdough

3. Make pretend food for a shop/restaurant 

4. Bake in the oven on a low heat for several hours to create ornimants or play food etc.