Over the past few weeks there has been a shift in the way my boys play together. I’ve noticed much more imaginative and creative play happening – at the insistence of our Big Boy. There are now stories involved in their play, I have found them both sitting in a cardboard box which is apparently a train pulled up at the station or they will be sitting under their little table hiding in a cave. It’s really lovely to see this interaction and their bond as brothers growing stronger. Please don’t get me wrong, it’s not all laughter and love – there is still plenty of snatching, pushing, yelling and tears
Last week I thought I’d give them a helping hand with their creativity and decided to make some play dough. I used the same recipe my Mum used to make for my sister and I when we were kids, and found Mum had carefully written down all the ingredients but failed to record the method. I figured there couldn’t be too much to it, I mean it’s Play Dough – and thankfully my first batch turned out!
Both of the boys were watching me with interest as I set up the table with a few tools for them to play with. It didn’t take long for our Big Boy to work out what was happening, and before I knew it they were both happily cutting, rolling and playing away.
You will need:
1 cup of plain flour
1/2 cup of salt
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Food Colouring
To put it all together:
Add all ingredients to a small saucepan
Over a medium heat, stir continuously for 4 – 5 minutes until ingredients have combined and a sticky dough forms.
Remove dough from saucepan and place in a covered container to cool for approximately half an hour.
Then have fun!
What activities do you do with your kids to encourage creative play?
Linking up with The Multitasking Mummy for Mummy Mondays
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
Awesome! I’ve always wanted to make home made play dough and now Baby Vick idolises the stuff now so there is no better time! This recipe seems really easy so I’m going to get on this! Ta xx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I hope he has fun! My Toddler loved choosing the colour of his play dough!
Sarah from Creating Contentment says
I need to make some play dough. I’ve just started homeschooling one of my boys. This will be a great thing to do together then use.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
This would be a great activity to work on together – enjoy!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Great idea, but it’s banned from my house after the ‘up the nose incident of 2013’! Great colour too – love how nicely they are playing here! x
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Yikes, I don’t even want to think about play dough up the nose! They did play nicely together for awhile, it inevitably ended up in tears though.
Sarah Poppy says
Wow – what an awesome idea and so easy to make. One weekend I am going to get my kids to help me make play dough. My son (aged 4) always asks to make it but I just have some tubs bought from the shops. Thanks for sharing. #TeamMM
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I used to buy it from the shops too, but it’s so easy (and cheaper) just to make it yourself. Thanks for visiting x
Ellie says
I have forgotten all about play dough! I cannot wait for my daughter to start playing with it.
I love that you have made your own- diy activities with kids is always messier yet so much more fun!
Thanks for linking up with Mummy Monday’s this week
#TeamMM
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
You are right, it is messy but so much fun and my boys had a great time. I just popped the play dough in a container in the fridge and we’ve pulled it out a few times since to play with.
Dannielle from Zamamabakes says
I need to make a fresh batch! Thanks for motivating me xxxx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Glad I could help 🙂