Summer is finally here!!! It has been here in Arizona for awhile now – we consider it summer once the triple digits arrive. BUT now it’s summer everywhere! : -)  For many families this means finding something to do to keep those little ones busy. So I have been thinking …. What to do? What to do?

My boys have been asking for play-doh lately. I thought about running out to the store to purchase some then I thought some more. Why buy when you can make it?? There are lots of places on the internet where you can find recipes to make your own play-doh.

http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/activities/a/playdough.htm

http://www.applesaucekids.com/LinkPage/PlayDoug.html

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_8.html

Some recipes are better than others. Experiment to see which one works best for you and your family. I have had success with the recipes using Cream of Tartar. These seem to last longer and feel more like the store-bought version of play-doh. Remember to store it in an air tight container.

The more I thought about this the more I realized I just might run into a problem with my 2 year old trying to eat it. Solution: Edible play-doh!!  Check out the peanut butter plah-doh recipe. Add in a package of hot cocoa mix for a darker color.

Play-doh is great for building muscles in small hands. Learn to cut. Using play-doh instead of paper builds muscle strength and is easier to manipulate. Create characters to go with stories you have recently read. Using a paper plate as a back drop, you can create all kinds of faces. Discuss your child’s emotions. Learn to read others. Make your favorite friend. Shape it into numbers and letters. Break it up into little balls and count it. Use it to add, subtract, multiple, or divide. Use it for learning fractions. Or just plain have fun. Whatever you do … do it together and have fun!!

Oh …. One more tip … keep it away from the carpeting! Use it only on hard, easy to clean surfaces.

Blessings,

Misty

Misty Rottmiller is a homeschooling mom of 3 boys in Arizona. Memories are best created in the kitchen is a refrain that is often heard around her home. Martha Stewart she is not! Misty often runs screaming from crafts and avoids most things that require creativity. Join her as she adventures through the kitchen sharing with you the basics, recipes, educational activities, and more. You can also visit her blog at www.homeschoolblogger.com/3boyz/

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