| How to make play dough
|
|
How to make play dough
Making play dough is easy. Kids and grown-ups of all ages will love this fun (and inexpensive) activity.
• 4 cups of plain flour
• 4 cups of hot water
• 2 cups salt
• 4 tbsp of cooking oil
Food coloring (optional) or Kool-Aid (use different flavors for different colors and aromas)
1 tablespoon cream of tartar (optional) for each cup of flour (this stops the dough cracking and makes it stretchy)
Gather the necessary ingredients and mix the dry ingredients together.
Add food coloring or Kool-Aid to the water. This optional step will create colored play dough.
Consider adding other fun ingredients to change the texture or appearance of the dough (such as desiccated coconut, or cocoa powder). You can also use peppermint or other oils to give the dough a different smell. Be careful that these enticing smells don\'t tempt the child to eat it, though.
Mix all of the ingredients in a large pan and heat it over medium heat.
Stir constantly until the dough feels like stiff, smooth, mashed potatoes. At this point, take it off the stove. Once it has cooled enough, knead it until it is blended smoothly.
Store the dough in an airtight container, like a ZiplocŪ bag.
Some tips on how to make play dough
If you can, adding a tablespoon of alum to the mixture will make the dough less palatable to a child, reducing the likelihood that the child will eat it. The alum also works as a preservative to help slow down the growth of bacteria. Alum is used in pickling and is non-toxic, but it could cause severe stomach ache to anyone who eats too much.
Storing the dough in the refrigerator when not in use will also help keep the growth of mold or bacteria down.
Consider adding other fun ingredients to change the texture or appearance of the dough (such as desiccated coconut, or cocoa powder). You can also use peppermint or other oils to give the dough a different smell. Be careful that these enticing smells don\'t tempt the child to eat it though.
If you have too much water adds flour or heat.
How to make play dough >
|
|
