This was always a favorite with my boys and in the PreK classroom I worked in.  It's a great way to teach your children measuring, textures and tastes of different ingredients.  Also teach them kitchen safety, that the stove is hot, and never used unless a grown up helps.

1 Cup of Flour

1/3 Cup of Salt

1 Tablespoon of Vegetable Oil

1 Tablespoon of Cream of Tartar

1 Cup of Water

Food coloring if desired

Scents – I've used lemon oil, peppermint oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate powder, a box of unsweetened jello (adds color too, be careful, jello will sometimes stain) 

Help your child measure each ingredient then dump it in a medium saucepan.  While doing this, talk about the size of the cups and spoons.  Let them feel and taste each different ingredient if they want.  Compare the differences in the oil and water, and in flour, salt and cream of tartar.  Talk about solids and liquids.  Ask them questions, which is slippery?  Which is wettest?  Which is rough feeling?  Which one smells the best?  What do you use the most of?  What one is heaviest?  What one is lightest?  Show them how the oil beads when added to water, how the salt helps them "bond".  Watch it entire concoction go from a liquid to a "solid".

Heat the mixture in the saucepan over low heat, stirring the entire time.  Let your child stir too.  As your stirring the mixture will come to play doh consistancy.  If you want colored play dough, now is a good time to add food coloring.  If you want scented play dough, add the scent.  Once it reaches the doughy ball (it will become a single ball)  turn it out onto a piece of wax paper.  Let it cool a bit, but begin to knead as soon as possible.  You may want to start the kneading process until it cools enough for your child to "help".  If you have more than one child you are making play dough with, you can break of a piece for each child to knead.

Of course they will want to play with it right away, but when it comes time to store the play dough, it works great in a ziploc bag or sealable container.   You may want to make a new batch every couple of weeks.  We used our play dough in the classroom of 18 four year olds and changed it every couple of weeks. 

This play dough is edible, so don't worry if they taste it!   You can use it to make "ornaments"  it will dry in a few days. 

Have fun!

I find adult beverages work really well for adults.  The kids prefer milk.

I'll take the 4 year olds over most of the adults I work with. 

Jayne said:

I'll take the 4 year olds over most of the adults I work with. 

Most of the adults I work with have a 4 year olds brain.