We have summer vacation coming up quickly. May is here and we will be making plans for our children to go to daycare, day camp or maybe we need a fun activity for those times when you hear the cry “I don’t have anything to do.”
This week I have included a couple of recipes I used with my children when they were home and we had great fun making and using them. One is for homemade play dough and another is for sidewalk chalk. Try one of these with one or a group. Great fun and a great activity. Get out an enjoy the day. One day you will be in my shoes. My children are grown and my granddaughter isn’t quite old enough yet. Have fun!
Homemade Playdough
1 cup white flour
1 cup warm water
1 cup salt
2 tbsp cream of tartar
2 tbsp cooking oil
1 -3 oz pack Jello
Directions: Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens into a ball of dough. This step does take a little while. Just keep stirring, you’ll know it’s ready when won’t be able to stir anymore. Once it has finished cooking, place the dough onto floured cutting board and wait for it to cool.
Once it is cool (at least 20-30 minutes) let the little ones knead it, adding in flour until it is no longer sticky (about 1/2 cup). At this point, you can add in extra food coloring to make the colors more vibrant, or even add glitter. When you are finished playing, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will keep for at least a few weeks in the refrigerator, with daily use. If at any time it starts to be a little sticky, just add more flour.
Homemade sidewalk chalk
Find a mold for your sidewalk chalk. Anything from a toilet tissue roll or small paper cup to fancy candy molds or muffin tins will work. Mix together 1 cup of Plaster of Paris with 3/4 cup of water. Add color to your mixture using powdered tempera paint. Blend well and let stand for a few minutes.
Pour your mixture into the molds you chose. Set aside and let dry completely.
Once dry you can remove your chalk from the mold. Set it aside to dry for approximately 24 hours more. Take your chalk outside and create fun masterpieces!
I really enjoy this time with you each week and would love to hear from you. Do you have any requests? Is there a recipe you have been looking for or remember from your younger years? Can I help you find it? Do you have any recipes that are special to you that you could share with us? Please contact me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.
