Making your own play dough not only saves you money but allows your children to work with you. Allowing your children to join in will teach them a variety of skills with the added benefit of increasing the bonding time shared between you and your children. It can also help develop their knowledge of the do's and don'ts in the kitchen.

Play dough has long been a children's favourite for play time though it has other benefits aside from the fun factor. Play dough inspires creativity and develops fine motor and problem solving skills. So let's get to it!

Things You Will Need
stove
saucepan
mixing spoon (wooden is best)

1 cup of plain flour
2 tbsp of cream of tartar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup of salt
1 cup of water (with dye added if colour is desired)

Step 1 Place all ingredients into the saucepan
on a medium heat.
Step 2 Stir continuously until the mixture turns into a ball that doesn't stick to the side of the saucepan.
Step 3 Take the mixture out and wait until cooled enough to touch - remember to test the temperature of the middle of the dough to. Kneed the mixture until smooth.
Step 4 Store in airtight conditions such as a plastic container, or zip lock bag with all the air pressed out. If the weather is warm, store in the fridge.
Step 5 For extra fun, add glitter to it while you are kneeding the dough and for a pleasant scent you may add one teaspoon of vanilla essence to the mixture prior to cooking.

This is a great play dough that lasts for a good while providing you keep the play surface and your child's hands free of contaminents such as food and other mess. To add to the fun of playing with play dough consider giving your children cookie cutters so they may press shapes into the dough and non-sharp play scissors to cut it up. Garlic presses are also a great deal of fun - good for making play dough hair and worms!

Tips & Warnings
Do not allow your children to eat this mixture. While it is non-toxic, germs from surfaces and from their hands will work their way into the play dough.

A young Australian mother and budgeting enthusiast! See my site at http://www.battlersunited.com