When I taught preschool, I made batches of this most awesome stuff. It's WAY cheaper than store bought dough and it keeps its great consistency even after the most rigorous of kid-handling...and mashing, and pounding, and molding.
My boys used to love making this with me when they were little too. There is always something so much cooler about playing with stuff you actually made yourself.
Making play dough is a great boredom buster, rainy day activity, or "just-for-the-fun-of-it" thing to do. And you probably have everything you need to make it already in your pantry. Or you should.
Here's the recipe for you to keep on hand.
And by the way, playing with play dough alongside your kid is a fabulous stress reliever for you too. You are NEVER too old to make snakes, and snowmen, and abstract art with a lump of dough. Never.
Easiest and Most Awesome Homemade Play Dough
Materials 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon cooking oil 1 cup water Food coloring as needed
Homemade Play Dough How To 1. In a heavy saucepan, mix the ingredients.
2. Cook on a medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes or until mixture pulls away from sides of pan. It will have the consistency of mashed potatoes.
3. Remove from heat; let cool for 1 minute and then knead. It should have a soft, smooth texture.
4. Play dough can be stored in airtight containers and will keep for several weeks.
If you're like me and have kids who are screen-seeking missiles when they have ANY inside downtime, then it's time to stock up on some games they'll actually enjoy playing. My boys are 11 and 15 and as they get older it definitely becomes a challenge to get them to give-up their electronic devices, and sit on down and enjoy some un-plugged PLAY. I love me some technology, but I know for sure that playing together without the use of a controller, lit up screen, and sound effects is the best way to really connect and learn.
This game was sent to me to try out and Tru in particular really enjoyed it. It's meant for kids 10 and up, but I think it can be used as a great language learning tool for younger kids as well.
If you want to learn more about Dabble, then just click right HERE.
Disclosure: I was sent this game to test, but was not obligated or paid in any way to share it with ya'll.
FIRST off...let me say a big fat grammatical "oops!" for messing up the "to" and "too" in my video up there. That's what going too fast trying to upload a vlog will do to an otherwise well educated woman. I do know the difference:)
When my boys get done with their homework and after-school activities during the week, they often want to run straight to their iphones, ipods, controllers, or laptops. It's all good and well in moderation, but each of those things require very little if any interaction with the rest of the fam. Which is why us moms often get our knickers in a twist when it comes to things with screens. But that's a whole other post.
I have been testing out new games for an upcoming Today Show segment and this is one that was just sent to me by the folks over at Buffalo Games. Honestly my teen dude needed very little prodding to play this with me and once we started he didn't want to stop. It's grown up enough and smart enough to hold his attention, and like I said it's a game that promotes conversation. If you have a teenager, you know how gosh darn precious that is. Add in the fact that at 40-ish I actually learned a little History and used my deteriorating brain... and I win!
You can find Chronology right HERE!! As well as other great products from Buffalo Games.
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of Chronology but was not compensated for my review.
Sometimes the SIMPLEST of activities are the ones that knock your kids' socks right the heck off. I spend time scouring Pinterest and Family Fun magazine in search of creative and adorable things to do with my boy Truman, who is still mighty crafty in his own way. And then a box of utter random turns into hours of open-ended F.U.N.. Go figure.
So hurry!! if your kids are still at school, go raid their long forgotten art supply bin, snag some bits and bobbles from the playroom floor, and dig through your recent recycling. Throw the random bits of awesome in a box and when they finish their homework, challenge them to create a whole new way to play. If it isn't a success the first time...wait a couple days and try again, or do it WITH them the first time. And if your kids create the next big thing, send me a pic or video and I'll post it here...and share with my friends at Hasbro! Happy inventing, y'all!!
I realize that the thought of adding "be more playful" to your traffic jam of a to-do list seems, well, a little cray-cray to say the least. But I truly believe that anytime we invite a wee bit more playfulness into our lives, we can significantly change the atmosphere around us for good. I am by nature an over-anxious, not-very-in-the-moment kinda gal. I worry about the future and don't want to let go of the good stuff of the past.
But when I step out of myself, take a deep breath, re-enter the moment, and welcome the chance to PLAY a little with life, everyone in my wake is appreciative. I fully understand that we can't just play all the time. Fully. But if we don't look for and plan for playfulness in our everyday, it usually just doesn't happen.
Hopefully, this simple and on-the-cheap idea will help get us all started.
Cheers! M
Truman prefers the preciseness of a pencil.
OKay, so this is CHEESE ball, but it will be fun to watch these posies bloom right along with our table runner of awesome. Told ya.
Here are my Ten "Hidden Gem" toys and games you might not know about, but that your kids( and you), will totally dig.
Simply click on the names and you'll be miraculously transported to a page where you can learn everything there is to know about them.
I've picked these, after seeing scads of toys and games at the TimetoPlaymag.com toy showcase in NYC this past fall, attending the recent Chicago Toy and Game Fair, and being sent boxes of toys to try out every week.
I've done my homework people. Sure, it's fun to jump on the "trendiest toys" bandwagon, but you really should know about the toys and games that might not get as much press or advertising push, but still pack mean play value punch. Here are some to notice.
2. Cartoon it! $19.99 I discovered this game last year and I fell in love with the artistic aspect of this board game. It made a cartoonist out of me.
3. Zoob 250 $49.99 This is a superb open-ended construction toy. They also have kits to make specific things, but I dig the create-your-own-thing, thing
4. Crayola Marker Air Brush $19.99 I got to play with this at the showcase and it's totally fun. It's getting a little press, but not enough.
5. Ubooly $29.99 I was JUST sent one for these adorable furry dudes that come alive using your smart phone...trust me click this and watch. Even my very cool Tween/teen boys LOVED this thing.
6.Colorfall. $44.99 This is a brilliant dominoes-meets-design toy. I would buy this for hip grown-ups as well. EVERYONE needs to play now and again.
7.Oval Xylophone $23.99. This is just one example of the PLAN toys collection. They are all natural, non toxic, wooden and wonderful. PERFECT for the wee ones.
8. The Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker.$29.97 It's BACK and easier than ever...no big oven required! Made some at the toy showcase and there is just something about shrinking stuff that never gets old.
9.Touchy Feely $39.99 From toddlers to teens, everyone will get a kick out of this "mystery object" game.
10.Djubi $29.99 This is the PERFECT flinging toy your kids can use outside...even in the snow. They need to get out of the house once and awhile. I played with this on TV and it SOARS. And the orange balls are hard to lose in the white stuff.
Well, there you go! Hope this helps when those "hottest toy" shelves become bare. xo, M
Disclaimer: NONE of these brands, shops, sites, or products have paid me a red cent to promote them. Nope, not one.
