I love playdough! It entertains for hours. Some may argue that it is messy, but really... it is FAR less messy than silly putty, moon sand, moon dough, and just about every other pliable toy.

There are many recipes online claiming to the be the "best ever playdough recipe". I've tried a number of them, tweaked a couple, and came up with this one. There's probably a better one out there somewhere, but this one works for me.

Pladough Recipe

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups salt

1 tbsp cream of tartar

1/2 cup fine glitter (optional)

several drops of food coloring OR 1-2 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid (optional)

3 cups water

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a large saucepan.

2. Add water and oil. Blend together with a wire wisk.

3. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until done. The mixture will be very hard to stir and will have both dry spots and wet spots. When you begin to fear it's going to burn or your arm will fall off, remove from heat.

4. Turn onto a floured surface. Let cool to touch. Knead until smooth and pliable. Add more flour if needed.

Notes: Kool-Aid will not only color the dough, but also give it a fruity scent. And glitter is just plain fun. Add fine silver or white glitter to white dough to make "snow".

Things my kidlets like doing with playdough:

Other playdough "toys" we use:

cookie cutters

toy knives (like these from Ikea - which I guess they no longer sell)

plastic pizza cutter

birthday cake candles

popsicle sticks

toothpicks

small plastic animals

What is your favorite playdough recipe? What are your children's favorite playdough "toys"?