Usually when we are bored, we bake, which is great except then we have lots of cookies and brownies sitting on the counter calling my name. I have mentioned my inability at craft projects before, but the one thing that I can make is playdough. I mean I can’t make beautiful mermaids or knights or ducks or anything but I can make the actual stuff. I save it for desperate situations but making your own playdough is a bit like cooking (except for the yummy part) so I feel fairly confident. The byproduct of this recipe lives on in a tightly sealed container for months and can be played with over and over so that is probably better than a third kind of baked good.

I use this recipe that I got from Aaron’s former SK teacher, but there are lots of recipes on the web. Many recipes call for cream of tartar which is an egg white stabilizer used in baked goods, but not usually found in the home kitchen. I buy mine at the bulk store and keep it tucked away in my highest cupboard with the other products that I use once a year (instant milk powder and matzo meal).

Playdough

3 cups All Purpose flour
1 ½ cups salt (not Kosher salt, regular table salt)
3 TBSP vegetable oil
1 TBSP cream of tartar
3 cups boiling water (needless to say, you do this part)
Food colouring or Kool-Aid powder

Whisk flour, salt, vegetable oil and cream of tarter. When it is well mixed pour over boiling water and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add food colouring for desired colour. When it is cooler knead, squish and work at the playdough until it is smooth. The more you work it the smoother it is.

Get out any cookie cutters, shape makers and playdough tools and go crazy. Wash hands continuously until food colouring comes off.

Now you can ignore your children for a few minutes while they do wholesome art projects.