Make your own preschool play dough

If you have worked in your child's preschool class you have probably seen him or her head to the play dough table at one point and start digging in - rolling balls, creating shapes, and just generally having a wonderful time.

And at Cedar Cross Cooperative Preschool, you may have also noticed that the play dough always smells so yummy you want to go home and start baking - at least I did last week after I noticed the play dough looked - and smelled - like brownie batter (see cocoa powder addition below).

I just had to have the recipe and Teacher Geralynn was kind enough to send it to me to share with you:

Cedar Cross Coop Preschool play dough   
(Preschool recipe is triple this recipe)

• 2 Cups Flour
• 1 Cup Salt
• ¼ Cup Vegetable Oil
• 3 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
• 2 Cups boiling water

1. Measure and combine first four ingredients in a large bowl: stir to mix well
2. Quickly pour boiling water into dry ingredients and stir.  Turn out onto table surface and knead as soon as can be handled.  Store in an air-tight container for up to three months.

To change color: 

• Add a few drops of food coloring to the water before pouring into dry ingredients.
• Add a small amount of liquid water color paint to the water.
• Add a small amount of powdered tempura to the dry ingredients before adding water.

To make sparkly:

• Add glitter to the dry ingredients before adding water.

To change scent:

• Add a couple packets of Kool-aid non-sugared drink mix to the dry ingredients before adding water.
• Add extracts from the spice section of the grocery store, or potpourri oils from a craft store.
• Add dry spices such as cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients.
• Replace ½ cup flour with dry cocoa powder.