Ah, winter’s never ending question – what to do with a busy preschooler on a windy, rainy, cold afternoon? The solution – make playdough! My 3 and a half year old adores cooking with me and playing with playdough, so the whole process is a very exciting endeavor for her. It is a great learning activity as well; for example, measuring, counting, and stirring to cook it. Obviously, a preschooler should not be using the stove so the last step is left to the adult.
Homemade Playdough
1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Salt
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 cup Water
1 T Oil
Food coloring (optional)
Essential oils for scent (optional)
Mix dry ingredients, then add liquids. Cook over medium-low heat approximately 3 minutes while stirring continually. Dough will become lumpy and then eventually ball up into a single ball that no longer sticks to the sides of the pan when it is done. For best results, make a single or double recipe only. Store in an airtight container.
This is the same recipe my mom made for me when I was a child! Although I don’t know where it originally came from, I do remember how much I enjoyed making and playing with it as a child. It is such a joy to see my daughter enjoying the same activity.
