Kids in the Kitchen - Playdough to Make at Home

It's Thursday - Kids in the Kitchen Day!

Let's make Play dough!

I taught preschool for years, and I was always surprised to hear how many parents do not allow their children to paint or sift flour or do other important learning activities in their own homes.

Allowing your children to make messes and play with play dough is so important for your child's development. Fine motor skills are mastered and creativity grows. Concepts including texture and size and the five senses are explored without a word being said. In addition, creating shapes with play dough can become an academic AND fine motor lesson - teaching about circles and squares? Form one from play dough! Teaching your child how to spell their name? Help them to create letters using it.

You will need to make this for your child before he or she can play with it.

Here is the recipe:

3 cups of Flour

1 1/2 cups of salt

3 tablespoons of oil

2 tablespoons of cream of tartar

3 cups of water

Food coloring or packets of unflavored Kool-aid in various flavors

Mix and cook this over very low heat until not sticky to touch. It is easier if you add the food coloring to the mixture prior to cooking.

If you choose to add the coloring after cooking, you will have to knead it into the dough when the dough is somewhat cool.

Okay, now go PLAY with the kids!! The mess will wait, the kids will not!

Just a note: Be aware that the Kool-aid will make the dough smell good, even if it won't taste good.
Keep an eye on little ones who enjoy munching on things!