Make Your Own Play Doh

I am a big fan of Wilkos, and buy lots of bits and bobs from this shop for my Play Therapy kit: paints in individual bottles, paper supplies both coloured and plain, paint brushes, glitter glue (very good), but one item I have stopped buying is Play Doh. Why? It stinks! Have you every stuck your nose into the plastic container? All the colours smell of chemicals which is not something I want wafting about. The other reason is the doh is hard and crumbles. So when my lovely friend who is a Grief Counsellor gave me a recipe for Play Doh, I set about making some of my own. The great thing about making your own is that you can create your own colour scheme!

Here is the recipe:

Home made Playdough

2 cups plain flour

2 cups water

1 cup cooking salt

2 tblsp Vegetable oil

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Food colouring/essential oil/glitter (optional)

Put all ingredients in to large heavy saucepan over a gentle heat, stir and scrape bottom of pan. Keep this up, although it is hard work, until the playdough forms a cohesive lump. Heat gently until the playdough no longer sticks to your fingers when you poke it. (If this doesn't happen you can put in a little more flour if necessary. Knead it so it is lovely and smooth. To store, wrap tightly in cling film and store in a sealed container.

Add a little variety by adding a few drops of food colouring or try adding glitter. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil makes a play session into a great stress reliever.

Amanda Seyderhelm is the author of Isaac and the Red Jumper, a picture book for bereaved kids, and a Practitioner of Therapeutic Play Skills.