kids in the summer. I’m not sure why, but making playdough has always been a summer activity in our family. Even when I was a child, I remember making playdough in the summer time, now I know my mom did it to help pass the time, get us away from the TV, allow us to use our imagination, and give us something fun to do.
I was thinking the other day how quickly time passes us by, how warm it’s been getting the past few days, and looking at everything starting to bloom. It’s summer, and that means that school’s out for summer break. It’s important to have some activities and crafts lined up so the kids do not get bored, and even more important mom doesn’t deal with the stress of bored kids. Crafts are a fun way to keep your children busy, out of front of the TV, and enjoy quality time with them.
There’s nothing better than quality time with the kids. You know, good quality time. Without any fighting, kicking, biting, or breathing on one another, lol. Yes, breathing on me. Oh, please tell me your kids have done it too. Once my children get to arguing, everything bugs them. I heard my 8-year-old tattle tale on my toddler for breathing on her. “Mom, MOM, MOMMMMMMM, Mattie won’t stop breathing on me.” OMG seriously kid, at this point I wanted to grab their heads and bonk them together. Not hard, but just to knock some darn sense into them. Who gets made for something breathing? I would understand if she was coughing or something…. NOT just breathing.
Darn kids, which is the reason I want to keep them busy this summer. I live in southern New Mexico, it’s hot. I cannot send the kids outside to play, it’s too darn hot. So I have been cooking up some indoor fun activities for them.
One thing I want to do with my children is make some playdough. My toddler eats it, so it’s important that I make something that’s edible. She’s 2, I can tell her not to eat it and she might listen for about 3 seconds. Then it’s straight to the mouth. Making our own playdough is not only the more fun option, but the safer option as well. There are several homemade playdough recipes out there, but here’s two fun ways to make homemade playdough for your children.
Scented Playdough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ Cups of flour
- ½ cup salt
- Kool-Aid Packages (your choice of colors don’t use lemonade)
- 2 cups of water
- 3 table spoons of vegetable oil
Directions
- Bring water to a boil. While water is warming mix flour, salt and 1 package of Kool-Aid in a medium-sized bowl.
- Now add boiling water and vegetable oil to your Kool-Aid mixture and mix well. Allow to cool, and have fun.
- You can also use food coloring in place of Kool-Aid, I like to use Kool-Aid because it makes the playdough smell great, and taste yucky, lol. My toddler will not eat it if I make it with Kool-Aid.
Basic Playdough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- Food coloring
Directions
- Mix everything together until everything is completely combined.
- Cook over low heat, stir using a wooden spoon for about three minutes, or until the playdough becomes a thicker consistency and the stickiness goes away.
- Knead the playdough for several minutes or until it becomes smooth.
- Next you can have some fun, make the playdough any color you want. Grab some food coloring and have some fun. The possibilities are endless, loads of fun, and if your toddler eats a little, don’t worry.
- You can store this play dough for about two days in an airtight container. Does not require refrigeration, and the best part it’s not toxic.
Have you ever made your own homemade playdough for the kids, or even for yourself? I love playdough; it’s so much fun and such a wonderful way to spend time with your children. It’s always a good idea to keep a good eye on the kids while they make fun things using playdough. I know I said it was non-toxic, but it can still cause a sweet mess to be smashed into your carpet or on your furniture
