D is for Dough (playdough that is !)

Ok, so this isn't something new and clever that I have whipped up but I thought it would be fun to post the recipe for playdough.  My little guy loves squishing and smashing it.  The best part is that it gives me at least 10 minutes of peace!  Let your little ones' imaginations go to town! 

For those of you who haven't made playdough before you will be amazed at how easy it is and will probably never buy it again.  This stuff last too!  Since it's October it's only right that your playdough be orange.  Here's the recipe that I used:

2 cups flower

2/3 cup salt

4 tsp. cream of tartar

2 tblsps. oil

1 tsp food coloring
2 cups water

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. 

2. The dough will start to leave the pan- keep stirring until it has completely left the sides of the pan.  Take it off the heat and let it cool enough to handle.

3. Remove from pan and knead for a few minutes (make sure your counter is clean you don't want crumbs in your dough!)

4. This makes a fairly large batch.  I like to add the food coloring after cooking because I can divide the batch into 3 or 4 parts and color each part differently.  Just make a little hole in the dough and put 4-5 drops of food coloring and carefully knead the color in.  I use disposable gloves to do this because your hands will get stained.  Once the color is absorbed it won't get on your hands.

5. Store in an airtight container.

I bet some of you crafty mommas can come up with a clever way to package this to give as a gift. Please share your ideas! 

Go have some fun with your little one!

~Erica