Weekly Activity
Making Playdough
| Nearly all small children absolutely love playing with playdough. Not only does it keep them amused and quiet it also gives them a chance to be creative. Here's a simple recipe showing you how to make your own: | |
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Ingredients:
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 Ingredients for making playdough |
 Adding water to the mix |
Mix together
all the dry ingredients in a saucepan. Gradually add the oil and
the water taking care to obtain a smooth mix. Add the food colouring
and cook over a very low heat for several minutes stirring constantly.
Be patient - and don't panic when it all looks as if it's going
horribly wrong! It may well go lumpy at this stage but just keep
stirring.
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| The dough should come off the sides of the pan and form a mass in the centre - do take care not to overcook though. The cooked dough should be removed from the pan quickly and kneaded on a lightly floured board for a little while. The best way to keep the playdough is in an airtight container in the fridge or a cool place where it should last for up to three months. |
 When it's ready it comes away from the sides of the pan |
 This will keep them amused |
All you
need now are some pastry or sweet cutters from your cupboard or
you can buy playdough cutters in the shape of animals, dinosaurs
etc. You'll also need a small rolling pin, which you can get either
from toyshops or cook shops. Remember you can always improvise -
even a pencil will roll out the playdough perfectly well.
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| One final word of warning! It makes sense to place some newspapers or a protective plastic sheet on the floor to guard against accidents. Also some very young children seem to like the taste of playdough - so be warned! | |