Warm Play-do

What to do with the kiddos when the weather isn't looking good for playtime outdoors?  Make play-do! My kids prefer the homemade play-do to the store bought because it is softer.  I prefer it because I make a big batch all one color.  No more tears over mixed up colors.  As an added bonus I know exactly what is in it, so if they eat it no big deal. I keep their play-do toys in a cheap plastic tool box so they are always ready to go.  If you don't have play-do toys don't worry garlic presses, rolling pins, plastic cutlery, tortilla presses, and cookie cutters work perfectly.  Kinda makes you wonder why we have so many play-do toys. 



The preferred play-do around our house is Kool Aid play-do. It comes in bright colors and smells good too.  The color pictured above is Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade.  Try the old fashioned flavors (cherry, lime, grape) for the brightest colors.

Kool Aid Play-Do

1 cup flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package unsweetened Kool Aid
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup water

Mix flour. Kool Aid, salt and cream of tartar in a pot. Stir in water and vegetable oil until smooth. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until it forms a ball. It will get pretty hard to stir.  Remove from heat and knead until smooth. Give the warm play-do to bored kids and watch the fun.

You can find this recipe and a whole bunch of others at teachnet.com.

For some reason cooking the play-do seems to keep the Kool Aid from staining hands and clothes.  When it gets on the floor it sweeps up pretty easily.  If it gets in your carpets, don't panic, or get it wet.  Just pick up what you can and let the rest dry.  When it is totally dry use a butter knife or spoon to scrape at it until it crumbles then vacuum it up!  Have Fun!