DIY Play Dough

Ingredients:

- 1 cup flour

- 1/2 cup table salt

- 2 tbsp cream of tartar

- 1tbsp oil

- 1 cup boiling water

- Food colouring

Method:

1. In a bowl mix the flour, salt and cream of tartar well.

2. Add the oil

3. Mix a few drops of the food colouring into the boiling water and mix into the bowl

4. Massage the dough with your had until it is no longer sticky

5. Wait for the dough to fully cool

Storage:

Wrap in clingfilm and put in an airtight container. Store at room temperature

Benefits of Play dough:

As well as play dough being a creative activity, its also used as a calming strategy. When a child is restless and unable to express emotion, sitting and squeezing the play dough relieves stress and works as a calming outlet. When your child rolls, flattens, squeezes or cuts the play dough they are developing and strengthening the muscles in there hands, improving fine motor skills. The squeezing of the pointer finger and thumb to grasp an object (the pincer grip) is encouraged whilst playing with play dough and ulitimately enhances pre writing skills. It may also develop hand eye coordination and curiosity, for example discovering mixing two different colours will produce another colour.