I know, it's a blog about sewing.
But it's not Cinderberry Stitches until I share some of the ways I entertain my little one while I work. It's not always easy to entertain a little one for hours but it is all about finding the one thing they love most of all (even if it only works for one day).
I have decided to write out the playdoh recipe and post it here for two simple reasons.
1. So I can find it easily, next time we make it.
2. In case you have children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews/friends or family visiting and need to find something fun to make that will give you both loads of enjoyment.
You will need:
1 cup - plain flour.
2 tablespoons - cream of tarter.
1/2 cup - salt.
1 tablespoon - oil.
1 cup - water.
1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon - food colouring.
1. Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and mix together with a spoon.
2. Once the ingredients are mixed together place the saucepan on the stove top. Use a medium heat and stir continually until the mixture thickens (about 3 or 4 minutes).
3. When the ingredients begin to thicken and clump together remove from the saucepan and place the dough on a floured surface. Once it has cooled enough to handle, knead like bread dough.
4. Remove from the floured surface when the dough is no longer sticky and continue to knead until the dough is soft and pliable.
Place dough on a lovely white plate and take a photo....
before the little one squishes her fingers in the dough....
and finds a new home for her animal farm.
Wrap the playdoh in glad wrap and store in an air tight container. (I'm happy, finally I can use all that Tupperware in the cupboard). Now one container lives at Nanny's place for future play dates with my nieces and one stays in our kitchen cupboard.
I have tried a few different versions (no cook type / cook type / buy it in the shop type) but this is the one we like the most and it seems to last for ages, or at least long enough that all the colours become one big blob - then it's time to make a new batch.
You see - playdoh is very therapeutic.
Till then,
Natalie x
My mother-in-law made this for years in her Sunday School class. She would give each child a little ball and let them knead the color into it. You can color it with kool-aide, but the smell makes the temptation to eat the claydough even greater. Add a little peppermint oil to extend the life of your claydough.
Posted by: Tina from Chickasha Oklahoma | March 25, 2011 at 05:17 AM
Oh, such memories! My babies are 40 and 38 and I used to make play dough for them!!!
Posted by: Jean | March 07, 2011 at 01:13 PM
This sounds like great fun! My kids used to love Play Doh but I never made it from scratch! Thanks for the recipe! We have new little ones in our lives and this will be wonderful! Love your blog! :O) Bari
Posted by: Bari Jo Moore | February 27, 2011 at 04:20 PM
I remember my Mom making this for me when I was a little girl and I had so much fun with it. The other good thing is that if your little one eats it, it won't hurt them.
Posted by: Peggy | February 27, 2011 at 02:39 AM
I'm sure Izzy will grow up with a wonderful sense of colour with her mum making the playdoh. The colours in that stack would look fabulous in fabric.
Posted by: Sandy in Noosa Heads | February 26, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Ah, the pre-school years. It sometimes felt like an eternity from breakfast to bedtime, but the years disappeared way too fast. Enjoy!
Posted by: Kristyne | February 26, 2011 at 11:02 AM
I heart warm, freshly made playdough! I got a recipe from my babes playgroup years ago and we had hours of fun play with it!
Posted by: krista - Poppyprint | February 26, 2011 at 07:55 AM
This is the exact same recipe that my mom used with me and that I used with my kids........I love that.........we still occasionally make some when entertaining little ones, but my teenagers still love to play with it too.........thanks for the memory this am
Posted by: Rebecca in Tennessee | February 26, 2011 at 03:51 AM
Natalie,
Thank you for the Playdough recipe!!!
Posted by: Del | February 26, 2011 at 02:41 AM
very, very cool idea!!!Thanx!:)
Posted by: Саша - девочка | February 26, 2011 at 02:15 AM
You just brought back a lot of memories of when the grandchildren were small. They would be at the house and we would make this and play, play play!! Now they are all grown up. Thanks for the memories!
Posted by: Margie Crewse | February 26, 2011 at 01:52 AM
Never knew you could make it yourself! My daughter is 24 now and became ill when using DAS clay when she was little. So we had to look for non toxic clay. Wish I knew this before. Well, when/if we have grandchildren I will make this. And my daughter and daughter in law work with children, they will love this recipe!!! Thank you!!
Posted by: Mieke Noor | February 25, 2011 at 10:12 PM
Perfect timing! I was just thinking today that I needed to look up how to make playdoh because I want some. I've never made the cooked up sort though... will be a new experience.
Posted by: Karen | February 25, 2011 at 09:00 PM
I used to add pink glitter for my daughter and we stored it in and old milk formula tin. Also I found I never worried about made playdough ending up on the carpet as it dried and then I just hoovered it up. Not like the shop stuff that seems to embed itself in the carpet.
Posted by: Candice | February 25, 2011 at 08:54 PM
Playdough is fantastic stuff, unless you have carpet under your dining table.....My kids haven't played with it lately for that reason, maybe I can set them up with it outside!
On an unrelated note, your site is beautiful, I love it and visit often. Your watercolour mermaid inspired my 8 year old to have a go at drawing one, and my 6 year old spent a couple of hours trying to copy your gorgeous mice. They have been drawing a lot more since then too! Thank you.
Posted by: J. L-M | February 25, 2011 at 06:32 PM
A tip from an early years teacher - cook it slowly in the microwave a few minutes at a time in an old plastic container. Add some essential oils.
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | February 25, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Natalie,
I love playdough recipes and this is the one I use that is no cook and I use with my Kindergarten class.
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
2 Tblsp oil
1 3/4 cups boiling water
Mix dry ingredients
Add oil, stir.
Add boiling water
Stir, then knead well.
If adding colour add while you are kneading the mix.
You can also add glitter.
To store - wrap in cling wrap and store in an air-tight container. If not using for a couple of days store in the fridge. This lasts about 3 months if only used occasionally or two weeks in the Kindergarten.
Posted by: mhairi | February 25, 2011 at 04:14 PM
My kids loved homemade play-dough! I remember it so well! Thanks for the memory!
Posted by: Sandi | February 25, 2011 at 03:54 PM
Playdough rules!
The adult fun part is try to create different colours from the little bottles. I once made a very nice purple.
The red in the Queen Rainbow Colours tends to come out as pink. Queen also make (in a separate bottle) 'Pillar Box Red'. It produces a bright red.
On a day when you can play too, I recommend a large flattish container with sides with cornflour and a little water. Have a try. It provides the oddest of touch sensations. Colour or glitter can also be added to give a different experience.
Also cold spaghetti and a pair of tongs will give those little hands a gross and fine motor skills workout.
Can't you just tell I once worked as a Teacher's Aide.
Posted by: Kayly | February 25, 2011 at 03:27 PM
I made a ton of playdough when my kids were little. They loved to play with the stuff!
Posted by: Angie | February 25, 2011 at 02:50 PM
You will Sharon!! just wait and see :) and yes you must Sandy, go make yourself some - I won't tell anyone.
Posted by: Natalie Lymer | February 25, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Natalie...
My kids are too old now for playdough... but I should make some for me!!!
Love the colours.
Sandyn
Posted by: SandyN | February 25, 2011 at 02:40 PM
IF I ever get grandkids I'll be coming back to your blog for that recipe. Love the pretty colors.
Posted by: sharon | February 25, 2011 at 02:37 PM