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Thank you for visiting my blog...and for allowing me to share with you my addiction. I love to collect recipes. I love to read cookbooks. I have been collecting recipes for as long as I can remember, and on any given day there are one or two (or more!) cookbooks residing on my nightstand!

This blog is chronicling my adventure as I fulfill my resolution of trying (at least) one new recipe each week. I hope that you enjoy!

I invite you to join me in my journey, simply by clicking the "Join this Site" link below. And please feel free to comment on any of the recipes, and pin away. Thanks, I look forward to sharing with you!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Homemade Play Dough

My son's preschool is a parent participation preschool.  Lots of great fun being involved - we get "duty days" in the classroom when we get to be the teacher's helper (I've always been stationed at the art table, which I just love, I do love to craft!).  Each year the preschool takes part in our town's annual "May Days Parade" (this parade has been going on forEVER) and the kids take part by riding their decorated bikes and handing out homemade play dough to all the kids watching the parade.  So, all the families in the preschool get to make play dough to hand out.  At first I was totally freaked out by it, some of the Moms had said it was a tough job, so in all honesty, one Mom and I considered having a "Make Play Dough, Drink Wine Night"...but then we thought it might get messy LOL.  Anyways, I hunkered down and just started to do it...and it turns out, it really isn't that hard at all! 

Here is the recipe:

Cooked Play Dough - My source: Teacher Bev, Rutland Parent Participation Preschool

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar (we were advised to use the brand name over the bulk, bulk doesn't seem to work as well)
2 cups water (a Mom hinted to use hot water from the tap)
2 tablespoons oil (any kind of oil, except motor oil, of course!)
Food colouring

*Note - this is a double batch

You can prepare this recipe using a double boiler.  I don't have a double boiler so I improvised and used the suggestion from Teacher Bev of a large metal bowl over a boiling pot of water.  Here is how I made the play dough:

Preheat a pot of water.  Allow it to boil, then reduce the heat to medium, keeping the water  at a slow boil.

An easy, non-toxic recipe for homemade play dough
In a large metal bowl, combine the flour, salt and cream of tartar.

In a small bowl, combine the (hot, but not boiling) water, oil and food colouring.

Pour the liquids into the dry ingredients, stir to combine, until the mixture is smooth.

Put the metal bowl over the slow-boiling pot of water and cook, stirring constantly.  When the dough becomes a ball, remove from the heat and knead until the dough is smooth (I allowed the ball to cool slightly before I started kneading...ouch!).  Store in an airtight container or bags.

VERDICT:
An easy, non-toxic recipe for homemade play dough
I was surprised at how easy it was to make the play dough.  Maybe it's because I am cooking and/or baking all the time, I didn't find the process to be a big deal.  It's a nice dough, and nice to know what is in the dough, especially if you have a child who likes to eat play dough!  I need to work on my colours a little more, mine all turned out rather "pastelly" (is that a word?!) and not like the vibrant play dough colours.  Could have been the food colouring that I was using, but otherwise, it was all good!  I got my 5 batches done for the parade, and it didn't take much time at all.  My son got into the fun too, we had to portion and bag the play dough so he helped to seal the bags and then squished them flat for easier storage.  I think he had fun!

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37 comments:

  1. Great step-by step instructions, Dawn. We always receive the play-dough during the May Days Parade so I will thank you (and all the other families) in advance for your efforts! My kids always love playing with it! ----Natalie----

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    1. Thanks Natalie! It was fun to do and it will be so worth it when we see all the happy kids on parade day!

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    2. Hi dawn,
      If you want vibrant colours and great smelling playdoh use unsweetened koolaid. One pkg per recipe. Grape is our favorite. Julee

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    3. THANK YOU Julee! I thought about Kool Aid but wasn't sure. Now I know thanks to your fabulous tip :-) Awesome!

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  2. we make this all the time. It comes off the floor easier than traditional playdough ;) you can also add in baking powder instead.

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    1. That is a great tip Micki! And that makes me especially happy since we just our carpets cleaned last weekend :-)

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    1. You're welcome Kristi! Thanks for coming by to check out the verdict :-)

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  4. Following you now from Fun Friday Blog Hop in which I am co-hosting. Hope you'll stop by my blog and follow me on GFC or G+ and FACEBOOK if you want to.

    I also have a fun poll on my blog for you to cast your vote. It's located in the upper left corner...you can't miss it.

    Have a blessed Mother's Day
    Mommie...Again
    http://mommieagain.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kim! Thanks for the invite! I am already following you on FB, and I will check out your poll! Glad you found me, and thanks for hosting the hop!

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  5. How fun! My mom used to always make my siblings and I homemade playdough when we were young! :)

    Stopping by from Blog Hops Everyday!

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  6. I've been meaning to get around in making homemade play-dough with my stepson. Thanks for providing this recipe!

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  7. Excellent instructions! I never had the courage to try making playdough when my kids were little. This makes it look very possible, and even enjoyable!
    Blessings,
    Lisa

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    1. Thanks Lisa! I was always afraid of it...but now I know, it's not bad at all! Maybe you'll get a chance with grandkids one day!

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  8. I love this! I've tried a few recipes but will definitely add this one to my list. It looks like it worked really well and it will probably be better than the others I have tried. take care and great job!

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    1. Thank you Kathryn! It did work surprisingly well. I think one of the keys was to use the hot tap water when first starting to mix. Have a super day!

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  9. Thank you for this. With summer coming up I am putting this on the list of to-do's. We had quite a few unsuccessful batches last year. Hopefully this is the one.

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  10. What a great thing to have in my back pocket for rainy days this summer once school is out! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & see you next Sunday ~EMM

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  11. Replies
    1. It was fun! I'm already planning my future play dough making :-)

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  12. I love making homemade play dough with my kids. Thanks for sharing this fun recipe @ Things That Make You Say Mmmmm! Have a great day.

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  13. This is great, thanks so much for linking up to my Summer Bucket List @ Miss Information

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  14. I love play dough! Thanks so much for linking up to my new link party!

    Hope to see you next Tuesday too!

    Sarah
    www.naptimedelights.blogspot.com

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  15. thanks for linking with Kids in the Kitchen - I needed this to help one of my boys with learning his letters (he's having a glitch) so we are off to make playdough! tks

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  16. Oh how neat! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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  17. Mom used to make this for us when we were little. Thanks for sharing. I never got her recipe.

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  18. Where was this when my sons were young? Lol! Thanks for sharing this at the party! See you next week?

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  19. You are one good Mom. I pretty much forbid playdoh in my house. So messy!! Thanks so much for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday. I love seeing all your stuff :)

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  20. This is great! I wonder how its different that just salt, water, and flour that I've done before. Probably smoother, I guess. I love the above tip about using cool-aid :-)

    Happt to be following from the Creative Corner Hop

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  21. Thanks for the recipe, I will have to make some for my son when he is older. I think that is such a good idea for the kids to hand out play dough to other kids at the parade. Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!

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  22. I love play dough! I was just thinking of making some for my daughter. Thanks for the recipe!

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  23. Love this tutorial! I will definitely be making this for the little one's in my life. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday last week.

    I can’t wait to see what you link up this week. Have a great day.

    Michelle

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  24. Hi I found you on the Blog hop. Now following you. Please stop by and say hi when you get a minute.
    Please check out my new Weekly Goals Blog hop. You can find it here. if you would like to check it out.
    http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup.html
    Have a great evening! Lenetta

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