When all else fails…make PLAY DOUGH!!
Some days are diamonds…some days, well… some days call for making play dough! Today was actually a great day – the kiddos were pleasantly kind to each other and were very cooperative in getting their schoolwork done. Even with a nice pace to our day & everything going my way, it was interesting to see what happened to the mood of my herd when I presented them with some freshly made, delicious smelling, homemade play dough.
They smiled and chirped. They planned and imagined. They laughed and shared. Now really…is this a recipe for play dough or a recipe for survival?? Just a few simple pantry staples mixed together under heat and out came several unexpected – but much appreciated things: JOY, PEACE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS and dare I say LOVE!!
All attributes we seem to run short on at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
I came across this recipe at about 4 am. Sleep has been elusive these days and my busy mind has been soothed by some early morning prayer and some Pinterest searches. Haha, funny combo don’t you think?
What stood out to me about this specific “Pin” is that the blogger tested multiple play dough recipes and reviewed each one. She examined texture, ease of recipe, longevity of the play dough and ease of use.
I bet you will be surprised to learn this specific recipe was her number one pick ((as opposed to the biggest loser-identified on her play dough review blog post))!!
Some of the pros for this number one pick?
“It feels just like store-bought. It lasts the longest. It doesn’t feel sticky and leave an oily residue.”
I followed the recipe exactly – with the exception of one thing. I did not add food coloring. Instead, I added 2 packets of dry kool-aid drink mix (the kind that requires real sugar to be added in order to make the drink). This little adjustment has a big reward: the color choices are practically infinite AND the very best part: the scent!!
Well, the yummy smell is amazing – as long my herd will comply with my “smell with your nose, not your tongue!!” rule.
- Ingredients
- 1 C Flour
- 1 C Water
- 1/4 C Salt
- 1 T Vegetable Oil
- 2 t Cream of Tarter
- 2 packets of dry kool-aid mix*
- Cook all ingredients over stove)
- Pour all ingredients (order does not matter) into sauce pan. Stir until everything is mixed well.
- Once the mixture is mostly clump free heat over medium heat.
- Stir and keep stirring, after a few minutes it will start to clump up.
- Stir until one big clump is formed and remove from heat.
- Knead by hand.
- Store in a zipper plastic baggie ((this method was found to keep the play dough fresh longer)).
- It is important to use the 10¢ packet that is intended to be used with sugar ((but DO NOT add sugar)). In other words, sugar-free will not work for this recipe.
