Baby & Toddler Art Projects

Cooked Version: This cooked recipe will yield a batch of play dough for your favorite little person. To make it, you will need the following:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Food coloring

Combine the above ingredients and cook them over medium heat until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Cool and keep the dough in an airtight container.

To play, give your child a small wad of dough and show him how to roll the dough into a ball or pat it on the table to make a flat pancake. Older children may enjoy the use of manipulatives to make clay play interesting—things such as a small rolling pin, plastic cookie cutters, plastic straws to poke holes, and even a garlic press to make strands of dough.

Peanut Butter Play Dough: This dough is edible, however be aware that peanuts can cause allergies in some children and eating wads of dough could be a choking hazard. Always supervise young children around play dough. To make this peanutty dough, you will need the following:

• 2 cups peanut butter
• 6 tablespoons honey
• Nonfat dry milk
• Cocoa or carob for chocolate flavor (optional)
• Edible treats for decorations such as raisins or baking candy decors (optional)

Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix, adding the dry milk until your mixture reaches the consistency of play dough. Add the cocoa if you want a chocolate flavor. Enjoy the feel and taste of this fun modeling material.