Perfect Playdough


Catherine Fournier

Playdough

It's important that the children feel that they are making a contribution to the family Christmas. So, if your tree looks a little bare, your 5 year old wants to give Gramma a present at the last minute, or you just need something simple but fairly tidy to keep the children occupied while you clean the bathroom or peel potatoes, this great craft for all ages is something you might want to try.

This is the best baker's dough I've ever found. It stays white while baking, it doesn't curl, and hanging holes don't shrink shut. It handles and cuts well, and it takes paint perfectly because it doesn't have lots of grainy salt in it. It makes great decorations for the tree, and picture frames, and lots of other ideas.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups baking soda,
  • 1 cup flour,
  • 1 1/4 cup cold water.

Directions:

  • Mix the three ingredients in a saucepan.
  • Heat over medium heat, stirring often until it is the consistency of moist mashed potatoes.
  • Put it out onto a plate and allow to cool (it's very hot!)
  • Cover with a damp cloth and allow to cool to handling temperature.
  • Turn out onto counter and knead until smooth.
  • Roll out to approximately 1/4 inch thick and cut as desired.
  • Bake at 325 degrees F. Cool in the oven (this is important).
  • Decorate as desired, finishing with a coat of varnish, acrylic, nail polish, or white glue mixed with a little water. The point is to waterproof it so that moisture in the air doesn't make it go soft and gicky.

Playdough

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