Kids love to use their hands and get a bit messy. Whether it’s mud or modeling clay, there are few things more satisfying to a kid than to feel something oozing between their fingers. All you have to do is search your distant memory to find fond memories of that familiar modeling compound in a yellow can and the bright, primary colors, familiar scent, and pliable, squeezable texture snap right back into your mind. With so many of today’s toys oriented around predetermined video images where "playing" amounts to clicking buttons, it seems much of the imagination element of playtime has been pushed aside in favor of realistic graphics and action. Remember how much fun it was to pinch off pieces of colored modeling dough and roll it into arms and legs to make your own person, dog, cow, or car? Hours would be spent creating new forms and then squeezing them all back together again—just to start all over with a new idea.

Not only is playing with a soft, pliable modeling dough fun, but making your own at home is easy and a great afternoon craft project you can do with the kids (and they get a supply of fun, squishy modeling dough as the end result!).

You will need:
• Rubber or latex gloves (for kneading the color into the dough)
• 1 modeling dough recipe (below)
• Large plastic cutting board
• Zippered food storage bags or inexpensive covered food storage containers

Modeling Dough Recipe:
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 4 cups water
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil
• ½ cup cream of tartar (available in larger quantities at bulk food stores, warehouse shopping clubs, and bulk food departments of supermarkets)
• 1 package unsweetened powdered drink mix (with a bright color)

By helping with the first part of making the modeling dough your child can practice his or her measuring and math skills. Measure all the dry ingredients (except powdered drink mix—it will be added after the dough has cooled and will be kneaded into the dough) and add to a large saucepan. Stir until combined. Add the wet ingredients and stir to combine. *At this point an adult should take over the dough preparation. Cook the mixture over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, until the dough thickens and forms a ball that is no longer sticky. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Wearing gloves, place the cooled modeling dough on a plastic cutting board and form it into a ball. Make a large indentation in the ball with your thumbs and pour the powdered drink mix (color of your child’s choice) into the hole. Form the surrounding dough around the drink mix to cover it. Then, using gloved hands, start kneading the dough by pressing the dough ball with the heel of your hand then pulling the dough back up and over itself. Continue kneading the dough until the color is distributed evenly throughout. Divide the dough into manageable quantities and place each ball of dough into a zippered food bag or plastic storage container and seal.

Ready to play? Simply unseal the bag or container and let watch your child get creative! An added benefit of using the drink mix is that it gives the dough a pleasant scent. Remind kids that even though it smells good, the dough is still not to be eaten. To keep messes to a minimum, try to cover play areas with newspaper or a protective covering.

For additional colors, simply substitute another flavor/color of drink mix. Other coloring agents that may be used instead of the drink mix include tempera paint (available at art supply stores) or paste food coloring (available where cake decorating supplies are found). Once again, place a small amount of the coloring agent in a depression in the dough ball, squeeze the dough around the color to cover, and knead with gloved hands until evenly distributed. Start with small quantities of coloring agent—you can always add more for a darker color.

Remember to keep the dough stored in its sealed bag or container when not in use so that it stays pliable. Sure you can buy manufactured modeling dough at the department store but you can have some quality craft time with your child by making your own at home using simple ingredients!

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