What you need:

1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Cup of Water
Food Coloring of your kid's choice.


Instructions:

Making your own play dough can be a great family activity. One advantage is the ability to mix and make your own play dough colors. This recipe doesn't take long and the kids will be thrilled with the end result.

Be prepared for a white kitchen. Yes, kids and a bag of flour usually equals a Christmas snow scene, and they will probably resemble Frosty the snowman when the recipe is complete. Don't forget to keep a camera handy for this event.

First choose an empty area on a hard surfaced floor and spread newspapers if desired. Make it a challenge to the children not to spill anything.... o.k., o.k., I'll get real. Be prepared for the mess!

Get a large mixing bowl, a measuring cup and measuring spoons for a Tablespoon and a Teaspoon. Have the child take the measuring cup and measure one cup of flour and pour it into the bowl. Then using the same measuring cup, let the child measure abo ut 1/2 Cup of Salt and add it to the flour.

Using a wooden spoon, have the child mix the salt and flour. (first photo op) Now have the child measure 2 TEASPOONS of cream of tartar. Add and mix. Now have the child measure 2 TABLESPOONS of oil. Add and mix again.

Measure 1 CUP of WATER and slowly add as the child mixes, or you can mix while the child slowly adds the water. Are you in a mess yet?

Now comes the fun part of choosing a color for the play dough. Add a few drops of a color at a time, then mix. Keep adding color until you have a color you like. This is a good opportunity to show a child what happen when you mix colors such as yell ow and blue.

Now the parent must take over the process. Place the mixture in a pan and cook and stir the mixture over medium heat. Safety comes first and children are only allowed to watch this part.

The mixture will eventually turn into a ball in the mixing bowl. When it has reached a pliable stage, place it in the refrigerator to cool before allowing the kids to play with it.

There is no preservatives in this play dough recipe. Store the play dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I have found that discarded yogurt containers with replaceable lids are great for play dough storage.