Making your own playing clay

Sometimes it is bored staying at home and yet not every weekend means going out of the house. Why not plan a stay-in fun weekend concocting something together with your children. Play clay or commonly known as play dough.

Yes, it is very popular among kids and it is very messy after play. However, there are the benefits of allowing kids to play with play dough and the many learning opportunities that happen along the way!

It helps children build strength in their fingers, making them ready for pencil and scissor control later on. Fine motor development, that is. Moreover, it trains the mind on Imagination and Creativity.

Have your children make the these together and thereafter build something out of it.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
1 cup flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp vegetable oil
Edible colourings of your choice

Method:
Mix all ingredients except the colours. Mix in more flour if needed. When dough is completed, divided it into portions and put in colour to each piece.

Tips:
- Always pour the hot water yourself instead of letting the children take over to avoid scalding.
- Use a spoon to do the mixing.
- When using dyes like food colourings, use gloves as it will stain the fingers.
- Wrap the dough in cling to prevent them drying out.
- Add texture like sesame seeds, tiny pasta for a texture feel.
- Add scents like cinnamon, cocoa powder or essentials oil to induce a smell that makes it more intersting, engaging not only visual, feel but smell too.

And having these playing clay does not only mean creating items. You can make the playing session into something educational.

1. Teach you children on colours and sort them out into their respective bowls. Colour bowls can be bought at IKEA.
2. Mix 2 different colour clays to see what colour it will become. Eg. Blue and Red makes Purple.
3. Have a competition on who can make the most balls or any shapes, training their tiny fingers.
4. Teach them the concept of mathematics by counting the balls made in item 3.
5. Have different play materials like straws to paly together with the dough teaching them the idea of what is soft and hard. What is smooth and rough.

Last for not least, please make sure small children are under supervision while playing so that they do not put the play clay into their mouth or nose.

It's time to have fun, isn't it.