Weekend Project-->Making your own Playdough

Hi all, weekend is here again! Let's have a fun weekend by making your own playdough! =)

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HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PLAY DOUGH?

INGREDIENTS:-

i) 2 to 3 cups of plain flour

ii) 3 / 4 cup of salt

iii) 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

iv) 1 cup of water

v) 1 teaspoon of food colouring

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STEPS:-

1. Add the salt and flour into a mixing bowl. You can use 2 cups of flour first. You can work on the consistency later.

2. Make a hole in the centre of the salt and flour mixture for easy mixing.

3. Add in the oil.

4. Next add in the water a little at a time in the centre and mix until all the ingredients are smooth.

5. You can add in the balance of the flour a little at a time and knead the dough.

6. If the dough is too wet it will be too soft or may be sticky. You can adjust the consistency to your liking.

7. Now you can divide the dough into a few portions and begin to colour them using food colouring. Remember food colouring stains. You can use gloves and line the table with paper beforehand. Alternatively you can use water colours although the effect may not be the same.

8. You could choose to use glitter or anything else to make it more attractive.

9. To store, simply roll the dough into small balls and keep in plastic bags or a container!

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BENEFITS OF MAKING YOUR OWN PLAY DOUGH:-

*You are guaranteed that the play dough is non-toxic. 

*You can get your child involved in the process of cleaning up after. It’s never too early to instil these qualities in them. 

*Teaches vocabulary and math skill e.g. Handling and talking about the properties of the materials (dry, wet, liquid, powdery, oily). Measuring exactly takes practice. 

*It helps children follow the procedures for safety. 

*It also teaches children the importance of the order in which materials are mixed how it may affect the product. 

*Children can practice self-control especially when there will be the urge for them to get their hands on everything. 

*Mixing materials together can make a change—a material may get wet, clump together, or dissolve. 

*Heat can transform materials into a material with new properties. 

*After making the play dough - during play; children use their imagination, practice social skills, develop language skills, continue to explore the properties of the new material, and express themselves artistically.

*Play dough is easy to make with children because there is some “flexibility” in the amounts—a little more water will make softer dough, a little less oil will make it a bit sticky. Recipes for play dough (a valuable learning tool). 

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Have fun learning through Play!!