Play Dough Color Mixing

Share


Today we learned what colors you can mix to create other colors - all while making our own homemade Play Dough!

There are many Play dough recipes on the internet, from scented, to clay-like. I tend to like the traditional. It is long-lasting and the texture of it is so soft and smooth. (Plus I don't think the scented would go well with a 2 year old - he may just eat it)



Traditional Play Dough Recipe:

* 1 cup flour
* 1 cup warm water
* 1 teaspoon oil
* 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
* 1/4 cup salt
* food coloring

Mix all ingredients with the exception of the food coloring, into a medium sized pan. Stir over medium heat until smooth and until it gets difficult to stir. Remove from pan, carefully (will be hot) knead until blended smooth. When cooled hand out to the kids and help them with the food coloring.

I usually have them pick their color while talking about the different colors that you can mix to create a new color. Such as, a normal 4-pack of food die only comes with red, yellow, green and blue. My daughter loves purple. We mix the red and blue and she creates her own shade of purple! What fun! The food coloring is messy if you get direct contact with it.

What worked for us is poking a little hole in the ball of dough, then adding the coloring and kind of knead around it until the die soaks into the dough. You may still get some on you but it isn't so much that it won't wash off with a bit of soap.

The kids really enjoy this.  They get to work with their hands, and have freedom with the color play dough that they would like.  It's always a hit!

We then put the play dough in Ziploc Sandwich Bags
and it lasts a really long time.  You can keep it out for a few hours and it still will not dry up!  If and when it does feel a little dry add a drop or 2 of water, work it in and it is as good as new.



(Unless of coarse it gets rolled around in dog hair, food crumbs, and sand - as in my household LOL)

Share