Play Dough

Kids can play with play dough for a very long time. I have tones of cookie cutters play dishes that I would pour out on the table and they would play for hours.

This was my favorite with my kids.

Cooked Play Dough
3 cups flour
1 cup salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 cups water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring
Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Blend water and oil together in a bowl. Add to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Add several drops of food coloring until you get the right color. Cook for about five minutes. Take the play dough out of the saucepan and put it on a cutting board or counter and knead for a few minutes. Add flour if it's too sticky.
This play dough should last around three months if you keep it sealed in an airtight container or plastic ziplock bag. It's so smooth and fun to play with when it's still warm.


No Fuss Play Dough
1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Food coloring
In a large bowl, mix together water, salt, oil and a few drops of food coloring. Mix flour and cornstarch and add 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly (you may need a little more or a little less than 2 cups flour so make sure you stir in until it is the right consistency). Knead for a few minutes with flour on your hands.



Oatmeal Play Dough
1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 cups oatmeal
Mix everything together in a large bowl. Then knead for a few minutes. This play dough has a nice lumpy texture.


Smelly Tip: For nice smelling play dough, add a few drops of vanilla extract, almond extract, or peppermint extract to any of these play dough recipes.
Also according to Courtnee "a package of flavored Kool-Aid will add smell to the playdough, then you are working with manipulation, touch and smell senses" for a multi-sensory play experience.

Homemade Clay Recipes

Baked Craft Clay
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring
1 egg, beaten

Mix together and knead until smooth. Separate into parts and add a few drops of different colors of food coloring. Make shapes and brush egg over the top. Put shapes on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 300F degrees for about one hour until the clay is golden. Seal with shellac to make shiny. Paint them for fun.

No Bake Craft Clay
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Food coloring
Mix together and add food coloring. Refrigerate for a few hours. Store in airtight container or plastic ziplock bag.



Homemade Clay
2 cups salt
3/4 cup water
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water

Mix salt and 3/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add cornstarch and 1/2 cup water. Stir and heat again on medium heat until smooth and thick. Refrigerate for a few hours. Store in airtight plastic ziplock bag.


Cinnamon Apple Clay

1 cup applesauce
1 cup flour
1 cup cinnamon
1/2 cup white school glue
Food coloring

Mix together in a bowl and add food coloring. Refrigerate for a few hours until the clay is firm.