Reuniting Kids w/ Nature - Make Your Own Play Dough

MATERIALS:
A large bowl
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional)
food coloring

TIME FRAME:
30 - 60 minutes

PROCEDURE:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in your bowl
2. Add in all wet ingredients and mix until everything is incorporated.
3. If your mixture is sticky after it’s thoroughly mixed, add more flour in, a little at a time until you have reached the desired consistency (it really will feel like the play dough you find in the store).
4. Store your play dough in a sealable container to keep it fresh and pliable

REFLECTION:
How does it feel to make your own toy?  How could you use your new play dough?  What other toys could you make instead of purchasing them from large retailers?

CONNECTIONS:
The average item travels thousands of miles before reaching a store you can purchase it from, which has a negative impact on the environment in the form of oil consumption and air pollution.  Also, think about all of the packaging that each toy comes in (cardboard, plastic, wire, etc.).  So, you’ve just helped the planet by making your own play dough!  Congratulations!

TIDBITS:
Did you know that the first Play Doh was invented in the 1950s and was  originally used as a wallpaper cleaner?

TIPS & IMAGININGS:

• Add the food coloring in at the very end (after all ingredients are incorporated) to avoid staining your hands!
• Play a form of Pictionary with your friends or family using your play dough to create sculptures instead of drawing pictures!  We call it Play Dough Smart and have themes for different games: Animals, Technology, Science (in general)...The possibilities are endless!

This activity is part of a series of low cost, hands on activities that can be used by anyone who has a passion for nature and who believes that a child's time spent in nature is not only important, but necessary.  Each activity was either created by me or gathered from a variety of sources.  You can find the complete list of all of the activities on my Nature Activities tab.

xoxo,

M