Looking for a fun and easy winter project to make with the kids? Guest blogger Megan Jessop shares her super easy, kid tested, home made play dough recipe.

Home Made Play Dough

by Megan Jessop

This is by far the best home made play dough recipe ever. As a former preschool teacher and having tried them all I am here to tell you this is the only home made play dough you will ever need to try. It is easy to make, has great consistency and it lasts a long time.

You need:

• 1 cup flour (full cup or slightly over is OK)
• ½ cup salt (again full ½ cup or slightly over is OK)
• 3 teaspoons cream of tarter (or as I call it “the magic ingredient”)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• liquid food color (use at least 20 drops but for real rich color use up to a teaspoon)

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside

2. Place liquid ingredients in a pot and heat to a near boil (so it steams and you can see the bubbles)

3. Pour liquid over the dry ingredients and mix. Your consistency should be softer than store play dough. As soon as the dough cools (but still warm) it is ready to be used. If your consistency is too wet add a mix of salt and flour to your work surface and keep kneading until it feels dry to the touch.

Be sure to store your play dough in a zip lock bag to keep it moist, and it will last for months.

This is a great winter project. Kids love it when it is still warm it adds a new quality to the texture and warms our winter hands. Have fun!

About the author:

Megan Jessop is a Child psychologist and mother of two preschoolers. Megan is also a writer and member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.