Wonderful Playdough

Play dough is the perfect art material to strengthen little hand muscles and provide hours of open ended, creative fun. I have realized that often when I take the play dough out to keep a toddler occupied while I plan to do something else, I end up playing with them because it is so therapeutic to shape and reshape the soft clumps of clay.

Play dough is available in numerous forms, colors and consistencies. The best ones are easily pliable, not too sticky and colorful. Invest in a good set of play dough toys like a child-sized cookie roller, play dough cutters-, knifes-, and pattern presses. There are a lot of quality sets available. Alternatively, you can raid the kitchen cupboards and drawers and take out blunt knifes, spoons, measuring cups, cookie cutters and other safe objects. You can have just as much fun with these as with store brought toys.

You can pick and choose from many brands of play dough in your local toy shop, or you can be adventurous and make some with your toddler. Some toddlers like to taste and eat their craft supplies, so here is an easy no-cook recipe of fragrant edible play dough made with Jell-O powder:

Ingredients:

3 cups cake flour (plus some extra flour to get the consistency right)

1 packet of Jell-O powder (any flavor)

3 tablespoons cooking oil

½  cup salt

1 cup boiling water (adult supervision needed at all times)

Method:

Dissolve the Jello-O in the boiling water. Combine the flour, salt and cooking oil in a mixing bowl. Add the water and Jell-O mixture and mix in thoroughly. Using your hands form the dough as soon as the temperature cools down enough for you to handle it comfortably. Add more flour to make sure the dough isn’t sticky. It will thicken some while cooling down. Please note, that although the play dough is edible (as in non-toxic) it is not tasty at all!

Once it is cool enough for your toddler to handle, you can take out the play dough accessories and start having fun!