Rainy days and indoor days are the perfect time to make up a
batch of activity dough, otherwise known as playdough or
bakers' clay. These pliable homemade `clays' let children
make their impression on a responsive material that can be
reused, left to dry in the air or baked to harden.
Playdough can be prepared in the kitchen in as little as 15
minutes from on-hand kitchen supplies: flour, salt, water and
vegetable oil. Variations can be produced with cream of
tartar (needs a hechsher for general kitchen use),
cornstarch (known as cornflour in Israel, NOT yellow
cornmeal) and liquid detergent. Texture will also depend on
your choice of recipe for a smooth, coarse or rubbery
consistency.
Food coloring is the standard colorant. Use a few drops per
cup of playdough. Colors may be mixed. Combinations of the
three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, will produce
secondary colors: orange, green and purple. Combinations of a
primary color with a secondary color will produce a third set
of colors such as a yellow-orange or a red-violet. Vegetable
juices from beets, spinach or carrots will produce a pink,
green or orange tint. Since playdough is not edible, paint
may be used for color as well (for older children). Use wet
paint in a wet mixture and dry paint in a dry mixture.
Store dough in the refrigerator in closed plastic bags inside
a plastic container with an airtight lid. Depending on the
ingredients, the dough will last in the refrigerator anywhere
from a few days to two months. Check for pliability and mold
(black dots) when stored.
For permanent shapes: bake in a slow oven (200-225 degrees
F.) for 2 to 3 hours until thoroughly dry or leave at room
temperature for a few days.
Dried shapes or objects may be painted with acrylic paint for
a semi-gloss plastic surface, or with a few coats of white
plastic (Elmer's) glue which dries clear, or with a coat of
shellac.
You may have a favorite recipe or you may want to try one of
the following:
A TODDLER'S FIRST PLAYDOUGH
3 cups flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water (approximately)
food coloring (optional), preferably from vegetable juice
This very soft dough is harmless if eaten and contains no
salt. Let your toddler become acquainted with its textural
properties and discover his/her mastery over the dough by
making an impression on it.
COOKED PLAYDOUGH
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Combine first three ingredients in a saucepan. Stir in the
water and vegetable oil. Cook and stir over a medium heat
until a ball forms. Remove to a countertop and knead until
smooth. It is soothing to knead when warm out of the pan. The
result is a smooth, commercial-like texture. Makes 2 cups.
STANDARD UNCOOKED PLAYDOUGH
1 cup flour
1/3 cup salt
1/3 to 1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil or a few drops liquid detergent
food coloring (optional)
Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water and
oil. Food coloring can be added now for a single color dough.
Knead the dough until smooth and shape into one or more
balls. Knead a different color into each ball if you make
more than one.
Use rolling pins, plastic knives and forks, cookie cutters
and, best of all, your hand, to make shapes and objects. Try
making play cookies, cakes, cake decorations, doll food and
plates, ornaments, beads for necklaces or stringing. Work on
an oven tray or baking parchment (waxed paper). Moisten all
pieces of dough with water before attaching one piece to
another. Press well to prevent the object from coming apart
after drying.
BOWLS AND POTTERY
Roll several ropes. Form a base by winding a rope into a
spiral about 6-10 centimeters diameter. Layer additional rope
coils to form a pot. Add additional ropes as you go along. Do
not make pot too high or it may collapse. Moisten and pinch
sides together so that the coils will stick well. To form a
lid, wind a rope into a spiral, measuring it to the top of
the pot. Let lid and pot dry before handling.
A CLOWN
Divide dough into 5 balls. Flatten 3 balls and shape by hand
or with a dull knife into 2 circles for head and torso and a
triangle for clown hat. Arrange pieces to form a clown. Use
the fourth ball to make clown hair and decorations by
squeezing dough through a garlic press or grating on a
grater. (Clean press with a toothpick and water.) Make two
eyes, ears, a mouth and a nose. With ball number 5, roll out
ropes for pairs of arms, legs. Roll out small balls for
hands, shoes and a pom-pom for the hat.
HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH GIFT
Divide a double batch of COOKED PLAYDOUGH into 4 balls. Color
each a different bright color. Prepare 4 cup-size jars or
containers, each with a tight fitting lid. Remove labels and
decorate. Relabel with name of color and a message. Fill each
container with a different color and seal. Wrap the set in
your choice of wrapping paper.
MINIATURE CHALLOS, BREADS AND ROLLS
Begin with a discussion of the laws of the separation of
challa and the blessing. Knead dough. Form into
individual-sized loaves. Make into braids or other
traditional shapes. Sprinkle with caraway, poppy or sesame
seeds. Bake at a low temperature until golden and hard.
Shellac all surfaces. Let dry. Place in a woven rattan
breadbasket for the convincing effect of real bread. Or make
a basket from playdough.
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATOR ORNAMENTS
Look in stationery or specialty kitchenware shops at the
selection of magnetic refrigerator ornaments (gift shops will
have Jewish themes as well) for ideas on favorite food
magnets. Try a rendition of a miniature slice of pizza, a
slice of a birthday cake or a tiny shopping bag of
breadsticks, cucumbers, etc. Dry carefully. Paint with enamel
hobby paints (available in craftshops). Let dry. Glue a
magnet on the back. Dry. Attach to the front of your
refrigerator to hold lists, reminder notes, kindergarten work
or use as a decoration. A welcomed gift.
PICTURES for HANGING can also be made with different natural
motifs. Hanging hooks can be glued to back. Roll out thin
circles that will not be too heavy for hanging and glue on
things that strike your fancy: dried flowers, buttons and
decorative sewing notions, all kinds of cogs and wheels and
wires for boys' imaginative creations. How about a 3-D
Shabbos table? A shul scene. Arba'a minim of
clay on a clay background tablet.
