Making Play Dough!

Play Dough is a MUST HAVE material in any early childhood classroom.

We made play dough this week and every student participated by adding at least one ingredient.

Here is my favorite recipe: 

• 2 cups flour, 
• 1 cup salt, 
• 4 tbsp cream of tartar, 
• 2 tbsp cooking oil, 
• a few drops of food coloring disolved in
• 2 cups boiling water

Put all ingredients in a bowl, leaving the water mixed with the food coloring for last.  Mix well. 
Once it is cooler knead the dough until smooth.

Making play dough is an activity that can be done for art, language, math, or science.

Language -> read and write the recipe or make a "How To" book.

Math -> measurement

Science -> chemistry - Heating, freezing, mixing, and blending, are all processes used in a science lab. It also involves making predictions, observations, and coming to conclusions.

Art -> create anything with play dough

I took my electric kettle to the classroom to boil the water. An added bonus is to talk about safety regarding electric appliances, and boiling water.

Put flour in a large bowl.

Add salt

Add cream of tartar

Add oil and then water with food coloring
















Mix it up.

       












Wait until it cools, then knead it.

I was surprised to hear a few students reciting the whole recipe to me after we were done.

I also wrote the recipe in two different ways and I will leave it posted on the art center for a few weeks.

A few students wrote a 'How To' book and they were proud to share their books with their families and friends.

Note: 

You can add unsweetened Kool-Aid for 'scent'.