Saturday, December 27, 2008

Rollin' in the Dough

Let's face it folks, if you live anywhere North of, say, the 35th parallel you are in what can be referred to as the 'Dog Days of Winter' (hey, even L.A. saw recent snow). Here at our house, the weather outside has been frightful. And, though work cancellations are delightful...not being able to place Lukas in daycare for a bit of playtime with his buddies has brought on a serious bought of cabin fever for all of us.

So, with all the local playrooms closed due to the weather and us not wanting to venture out into the biting cold for a walk or stroll, Mrs. LIAYF had the great idea of making playdough. I hadn't known that you could make it at home, and surprisingly enough to me, it turned out to be just what the boredom doctor ordered.

Lukas was as concentrated with the whole process - from mixing and making the dough, to playing with it - as we have seen him in quite some time. We had everything we needed around the house to make it, and he had a ton of fun using cookie cutters, baking tins, and utensils to shape and form the finished dough. It kept him occupied for nearly an hour! That's a toddler eternity.

So, if you have a young kid or two and need something to do, consider making some dough. Mrs. LIAYF found this recipe on the web, but you could do some research of your own.

Playdough Recipe (need one bowl of these ingredients for each color)
1/2 cup white all-purpose flour
1/4 cup salt
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar




Mix each bowl of dry ingredients well. In a separate measuring cup combine 1/3 cup boiling water (or just hot water if working with toddlers), food coloring and 1/2 Tablespoon oil. Add this entire mixture to each bowl of dry ingredients and knead well (add more flour or salt if too sticky). Seal in plastic container or ziplock bag to store. Will last longer in the refrigerator.

This playdough is non-toxic, but too salty to taste good to a kid. However, if you get snowed in and can't make it to the grocery store it might go well with beer and pretzels. Enjoy!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

My wife had some edible version that she used for one of the birthdays we had here over the past couple of years, but we hit 65 degrees here today...just south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

James (SeattleDad) said...

@ MTAE - We will have to look up that edible version, though I don't know if we want Lukas to eat the stuff.

Laura said...

I remember when my mom used to make playdough for us when I was a kid, such good times! Love your blog :)

Eric said...

I am printing this off!

What a great idea...

Dan said...

There is nothing finer than the feel of warm freshly made playdoh in your hands.

I might have to make some more with the kids on wednesday come to think of it.

Jason Roth said...

Way to be resourceful. I never new you can make your own Playdough.

SciFi Dad said...

Next time, try using Kool aid (the regular powder, not the sugar free crap) instead of food colouring... it makes for brighter hues, and has a nice scent to it as well.

James (SeattleDad) said...

@Laura - Thanks for stopping by. I never had playdough as a kid, so didn't know how fun it would be for Lukas.

@Eric - Glad I could pass on that little piece of knowledge.

@Dan - Yeah, it is a good time for them, and you too.

@VegasDad - Me either. Mrs. LIAYF enlightened me.

@SciFi - We might have to try that, and when Lukas is done mushing into everything, we can have it as a snack! LOL.

Anonymous said...

Ice storms kept us in for a bit there too. My wife and I went a little stir crazy all on our own, so I can't imagine how it would be with a kid.

Great tip on the home made playdough. I will keep this post under my hat when my daughter is a bit older.

James (SeattleDad) said...

@Adam - It was a little odd trying to keep him occupied for so long. The playdough did help though. He is at the stage where he is into everything.