Is 2.5 too young for playdoh?

easterbaby · April 2009

I would make homemade, which is the best recipe? There are so many! TIA!

marbear81 · April 2009

I've worked at a day care center for many years and IMO, 2.5 is not too young at all! Just watch them so they don't try to eat it!!! (many will try to sneak a bite) As for recipes.. there are soo many out there! I will try to find a good one and post :-)

marbear81 · April 2009

Here's a recipe that makes a "textured" dough and all the ingredients are safe just in case!

OAT PLAY DOH: (textured!)

Note: This play doh is for tactile stimulation. Young children love it. It has a rough texture and is great for exercising hand muscles. You should use this dough the same day you make it, as it will get moldy within a day or two.

2 cups water

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup flour

cinnamon (optional)

Heat water until boiling. Combine boiling water and oatmeal in mixing bowl. Add enough flour to make it dough. Add cinnamon for smell if desired.

Here is another recipe if you want color/scented:

Kool-Aid Scented Play Dough

Ingredients

1 cup cold water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use Crisco oil)
2 packages of the same flavor kool-aid unsweetened flavored drink mix
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
5 teaspoons cream of tartar

Directions

In a pot, combine water, oil, Kool-Aid, and salt.
Heat and stir until salt dissolves.
Add Flour and cream of tartar all at once to above.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until well mixed and dough forms a ball, (this should only take a couple minutes).
Remove from heat once the dough forms into a ball.
Cool on a clean baking sheet, kneading the dough as soon as it is cool enough to handle.
Cool completely, and let your kids play away!
(On occasion, I've mixed in a matching essential oil to enhance the fruity scent if I only have one package of a Kool-aid flavour on hand.) Store this Play Dough in a resealable plastic baggy or plastic container.
It should last for a couple months, depending on how often your children play with it.

EmmieB · April 2009

I found a recipe, too, here:

https://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2007/11/once-upon-a-tim.html

This is actually a great blog about bringing Montessori into your home, which is what the Husb and I are going to do.

Uiowachick01 · April 2009

I have taught preschool for several years, and the best homemade dough for younger ones seems to be SALT DOUGH. It is very salty and tastes horrible, but will NOT hurt the little kiddies.