Good News For Parents We Don`t Have To Buy Expensive Toys

• Climbing trees and making sock puppets and play dough still a hit with youngsters

As parents across the country ponder what to do with their children this summer

the results of a new study could come as a welcome relief.

Instead of playing with expensive toys or gadgets, many children would be much happier indulging in simpler pursuits such as baking, finger painting , making their own play dough and enjoying being home with their friends

You don't have to spend a fortune on expensive days out to keep the children entertained this Summer .

Would love to share with you some traditional activities that still amuse youngsters , such as building a den for their favorite pet or baby doll using used boxes or old plastic bottles ,

spotting the seasons changing , making puppet sock and creating a show for everyone .

One of my kids favorite activities is playing with play dough. It is the perfect indoor activity for when it’s too hot or raining . When the weather’s nice we’ll even take it outside . My kids (age 4, 3 and 1 ) ALL love playing with play dough. I usually give them a few different colors, a mini rolling pin, some cookie cutters and let them go to town. I love seeing their imagination work.

WHY IS THIS THE BEST HOMEMADE PLAY-DOUGH RECIPE?

1. It is SUPER soft and squishy, but doesn’t stick

2. The play dough lasts for months in a zip top bag

3. It is inexpensive to make

4. It makes enough for 4-6 kids

5. You can add different colors and even scents to customize your dough

HOW TO MAKE PLAY-DOUGH

Play-dough ingredients:

1. 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)

2. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3. 1/2 cup salt

4. 2 tablespoons cream of tartar

5. 1 to 1.5 cups boiling water

6. Food coloring (optional) or nontoxic color

7. few drops of glycerin (my secret ingredient for stretch and shine!)

Method:

1. Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl

2. Add food coloring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients

3. Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough

4. Add the glycerine (optional)

5. Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. 

6. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right

Voila!

Here are some brilliant play dough tools we have and love to use alongside this recipe