How to Make Play Dough: A Recipe for Fun

This is a great craft for kids during the cold, wet, dark winter. It is fun and fairly easy. This recipe makes A LOT of play dough, which is how I like it. If you don't want a lot (and you can freeze it by the way) halve the recipe. The food coloring drops make vibrant, interesting colors. Experiment with them as you like. You may NEVER buy store "playdoh" again! This recipe is courtesy of my friend Susan Janow:

PLAY DOUGH
6C flour
3C salt
5 1/2 C water
2 TBSP Cream of Tartar
1/2 C Oil
Food Coloring Drops (you can get regular colors or neon, we liked the neon colors!)

1. Mix everything together*.
*If you want the play dough to be different colors add the food coloring in batches. I "cook" 1 C at a time and add the food coloring when I have one cup in the pan. Then for the next cup I add a different color and so on.
2. Stir all ingredients until smooth
3. Do not heat until completely stirred. It will be lumpy.
4. Heat on low stirring frequently
5. Keep stirring and heating until very thick (play dough consistency)
6. Turn onto counter top and kneed.
8. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container. It will keep for up to 4 weeks at room temperature. It also freezes well.

Some ideas for playing with the play dough: Go to your local thrift store and look through the kitchen utensils section, there are lots of interesting and child friendly ideas there. Cookie cutters also work great. At our local Good Cheer thrift Store I found lots of interesting unconventional "play dough" play things, including cookie cutters, spoons, colorful plastic cups and plates, and other odds and ends. Put them all in a "play dough bin" and you'll have a new and fresh craft to pull out when you need a little break!