In case you missed my Jan. 10 post, I'll catch you up. This week's going to be bad. Really bad. Cold, nasty -- the whole nine.
What
are you going to do with your kids if you're stuck in the house? Every
day this week I'll give you a little something to do, an idea that
doesn't cost a lot or require you to leave the house.
Today's plan? Sensory Day.
There's nothing more fun than playdough, but not for parents. Play-Doh brand playdough is crumbly, leaving little bits and pieces all over the place for you to clean up.
This homemade playdough recipe is superior to anything you can buy at the store. It comes together in just a few minutes, smells good (watch out if you have a little one who might want to eat it) and, best of all, actually holds together without being sticky.
Try making this up in the morning and give it a few minutes to cool before you turn your kids loose on it. A batch of this, some small toys to bury and undig, and some cookie cutters will keep little hands busy for a good long time.
Super Playdough
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons corn oil
Mix all the ingredients together in a large, nonstick saucepan. (I use my old electric skillet for this.) Cook and stir over low heat until the mixture thickens and the bottom is just starting to crust up -- about 5 to 15 minutes. The dough will be very stiff and almost impossible to stir.
Dump the dough out onto a large cookie sheet and allow it to cool. When it's cool, knead it until smooth -- and play! Store it in a covered container.
Makes 3 cups.
You might remember a can of shaving cream was on the shopping list for this week as well. When the kids tire of the playdough (if they tire of the playdough), squirt the shaving cream onto the tabletop and give your kids some scoops, cups spatulas -- whatever they think might be fun for moving it around. This is more of a mess than the playdough, of course, so you can certainly skip this part!
Remember those little toys we were playing with today in the playdough? Those are a hint for tomorrow, when we'll get our brains moving with puzzles.
Day 1: Dance Party
Day 2: Hit the Kitchen
