If your children complain there's nothing to watch on television and they don't feel like playing outside, surprise them with homemade recipes for silly putty and play dough.
Silly putty and play dough are universal favorites among young children. Kneading, squeezing, stretching, and sculpting are tactile activities that help kids release pent up energy while developing their fine motor skills. It's also quite fun for children to help their parents or caregivers mix and measure the ingredients needed to complete recipes for silly putty and play dough.
Recipes for Silly Putty and Play Dough
The Internet is full of recipes for silly putty and play dough, although most contain the same basic ingredients.
Typically, homemade silly putty and play dough are inexpensive alternatives to their commercially-prepared counterparts. However, since no preservatives are used, proper storage of your homemade creations is a necessity.
Silly Putty
Silly Putty is a plastic "clay" that was originally created as a rubber substitute during World War II. However, you can make your own homemade version of this product using common household ingredients. Just remember to supervise children while playing and avoid having the putty come in contact with clothing or carpet.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of liquid starch
- 2 or 3 drops of food coloring
- 2 tablespoons of white glue (For best results, please use original Elmer's Glue and not the School Glue version of the product.)
- A plastic Easter egg or small plastic zip bag
Instructions
- Combine the white glue and food coloring together in a small bowl.
- Pour the liquid starch into a second small bowl.
- Slowly pour the glue mixture over the liquid starch.
- Let the putty mixture stand until the glue completely absorbs the liquid starch.
- Knead the putty until the desired consistency is reached.
- Place the putty in an Easter egg or plastic bag for storage.
Kool Aid Play Dough
Kool Aid play dough provides a sweet scented, non-toxic alternative to commercially purchased dough. However, the dough may color your hands slightly.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 packages of dry unsweetened Kool Aid
- 2 cups boiling water
- 3 tablespoons oil
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients together in a bowl.
- Mix liquids ingredients together and pour them over the dry ingredients.
- Stir the mixture until it forms a ball. Be patient, since this step may take awhile!
- When the mixture has cooled, take it out of the bowl and knead it until smooth. Don't worry if it seems sticky at first, the texture will improve with kneading.
- Store leftover dough in the refrigerator.
Cinnamon Play Dough
Making homemade cinnamon play dough is a wonderful wintertime craft, since the dough smells as delicious as fresh baked cookies!
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup salt
- 5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 or 3 drops of food coloring
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the oil and food coloring to the water before adding to the dry ingredient mixture.
- Keep stirring until the dough forms a ball.
- If the mixture seems too dry, add a small amount of water. If the mixture seems too sticky, try adding a bit of flour.
- Knead the cinnamon dough mixture on a lightly floured surface until it becomes pliable.
- Refrigerate in a plastic bag when children are done playing.
Peanut Butter Play Dough
Although this play dough should never be used near a child with a peanut allergy, it's a fun recipe that lets children create their own edible sculptures!
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup Karo syrup
- 1 1/2 cups powdered milk
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine ingredients into large mixing bowl.
- Knead until texture resembles purchased play dough.
- Refrigerate leftover dough when your child is finished playing.
