Over five years of parenting I think it would be fair to say that I have learned the hard way that the inexpensive things are sometimes the best for having fun with your children. I read recently that many parents are not doing art and craft things with their children as they don't like the mess and that this is a bad thing. Whilst I always take these articles with a pinch of salt (there is an article every week to make you feel bad about your parenting), I do think that it is a good idea to share ideas that work and that are cheap and fun, so here is one of my favourite ideas!

Playdough recipe:

This recipe is one that I often use and is worth sharing as actual playdough is a lot more expensive and also gets mixed up. Homemade playdough might seem a bit "knit your own muesli", but trust me this recipe is really easy, if you give it a try you will be converted- and it is fun! I have passed this on to few people and they all use it regularly, or so they tell me!


400g plain flour (buy the cheapest you can)
200g salt
600ml cold water
4tsp cream of tartar (essential, costs about £1.29 a tub but goes a long way
1 tbsp oil
food colouring (29p per bottle usually)



1) Add the food colouring to the water.

2) Put all the other ingredients into a bowl (or saucepan if you are going to heat on the hob, see 3)). Gradually add the water to the bowl and mix.

3) NB this step is for an adult to do - too dangerous for a child.
Microwave for approx 9 minutes (stopping and stirring every 3 minutes). Also remember to put a lid on the bowl. Once the mixture starts coming away from the side of the bowl and appears to be the right consistency take out to cool (IT WILL BE VERY HOT). This recipe can also be cooked on the cooker hob, I actually prefer to do it this way as I find it makes for a better texture.

Useful information:

- The more colouring you add the more intense the colour - you can mix colours too to make orange or pink.
- add glitter for fun, or rice/lentils for texture
- if you get the made up playdough on your carpet (well if your child does) fear not, it dries and is relatively easy to scrape off with a knife
- you can add vanilla or almond for a different smell
- This is a good dough to make for playgroups or preschool, if doing so make sure all ingredients allergy free

Storing your finished dough:

The dough can be frozen or will keep several weeks in a ziplock bag or tub.

Ideas of what to do with the dough:

It is best probably to let the child lead play, provide a rolling pin or cutters if you have one and let them work out how to roll a sausage shape or little balls. My child had great fun making a pretend pizza and a birthday cake; if possible choose a place where you are not too worried about mess (outside in Summer) and let your child have fun.

If you get bitten by the making cheap activities for your kids bug:

Other things to try that we enjoy are; making hand/footprints in paint (outside), making a mini garden, putting lots of different foodstuffs such as bits of lentils, rice, past in a muffin tin and using a spoon to mix and transfer (hooover up at the end). We also enjoy potato printing, playing with cornflour and water and generally making things. There are some great books for inspiration.

I hope this recipe is of use to someone, playdough can be great fun!