play dough

Are you bored! and no longer know what activities you can do with your children  in this period of lock down

( covid-19 ) then this play dough recipe is for you

Play dough is a messy play activity that can bring your children so much fun. It is soft, squishy and they can make anything out of it. Perhaps what makes it so appealing is that it is relaxing and therapeutic.

When a child mold with play dough, the experience is always positive as they always feel success with their creations. The benefit of  playing with play dough is more than you can imagine. Check my article on  ‘’important of play in early child’s development” to know more about the benefit of play dough.

There are various ways you can make play dough  with just 3 or 4 basic ingredients , each will have different texture  and feel and some last longer than the others. Each recipe will provide a unique sensory experience and it now depend on you to decide which method will best suit you .

         

 Play dough Recipes

Don’t forget to involve your child in following the recipes in order to provide a great opportunity to work on following directions and learning scientific and mathematical concepts.  Just you need to be careful with the ones that requires hot water 

Below is a few ways you can make a  play dough;

                Method 1; play dough

This is a very basic, quick dough that is easy to make.

1 cup water

6 cups flour

1 cup vegetable oil

Food coloring

Food flavor

Mix a drop or two of food coloring into the water until you get your desired color  and add the flour and vegetable oil.  Add a few drops of flavor you will like to smell in the dough, Knead until the mixture is smooth. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

                Method 2; play dough

2 cups flour

1/2 cup salt

2 teaspoons oil

2 teaspoons food coloring

Food coloring

 food flavor

Pour the flour in a bowl, dissolve the salt in water in a separate cup, add few drops of flavor and  food coloring if you choose to, mix together until the salt is thoroughly dissolve then slowly pour the diluted water into the bowl of flour and mix, knead until the mixture is smooth, roll into a ball and store in a sealed container, then refrigerate after use

             Method 3 ; play dough

This dough is a good, standard, reusable, all-purpose dough.

3 cups flour

1/4 cup salt

6 tablespoons oil

dry tempera or food coloring

1 cup water

Mix the salt, flour and dry tempera. Add food coloring into 3/4 cup water and  mix with oil then slowly pour it into the dry ingredients. Mix and  slowly add more water if necessary, taking care not to let the mixture get sticky, knead properly until smooth , then Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

               Method  4; Plastic play dough

This dough feels lighter and more plastic than the first two. It’s great because it does not get sticky!

3 cups self-raising flour

1 cup salt

5 tablespoons alum

1 tablespoon dry tempera

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup oil

Food flavor

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Add oil to the boiled water, then add to the dry mixture,  Mix and knead thoroughly add the flavor and keep kneading until smooth then Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

             Method 5; cooked play dough

This dough has a wonderful texture and keeps well in the refrigerator, though you  need to be careful with the children as it require cooking

2 cups flour

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1/2 cup salt

2 cups water

2 tablespoons oil

food coloring

oil of cloves (for fragrance)

Mix the flour, cream of tartar and salt. Separately, mix the water, oil, food coloring and oil of cloves  if you choose to. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and cook over medium heat until it forms a ball, remove from the pot and knead properly . Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

              Method 6; Oatmeal play dough

This dough is healthy, edible and  great for babies

1 cup flour

1 cup water

2 cups oatmeal

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix well and knead until smooth. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

        Method 7; cornstarch and conditioner play dough

 This dough can be made in just few minute with stuff you already have in your home but ensure you are using this recipe for older children as it is not edible

Ingredients

• 2 cups cornstarch
• About 1 cup hair conditioner( preferably in expensive hair conditioner as its for play
• Food coloring (optional)

Pour the cornstarch in a large bowl, mix in the hair conditioner with your hands–it will just start coming together and it will be pliable and very, very smooth, add a  few drops of food coloring if you desire. You may need to add more conditioner as you mix, knead properly, store in a cool place after use

I hope you’ll enjoy using this recipe with your children best of luck having fun

https://bloomingearlyyears.com/3-fascinating-ways-of-making-stress-balls/

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