Recipes for Tactile Play

SMELLY PLAY DOUGH
Combine 2 cups flour with 1/4 cup salt, 1 package Kool Aid and 2 tsp. cream of tartar. Then add 1-1/2 T oil. Gradually add 1 cup boiling water to the mixture. It will be sticky because it is hot, let it cool, knead and add more flour if needed. Save in fridge in plastic. It keeps for several weeks in fridge or about 1 week in the open air.

EXOTIC SMELLING PLAY DOUGH

* 2 cups flour
* 1 cup salt
* 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
* 2 cups water
* 2 tablespoons cooking oil
* Food coloring
* Food extracts (almond, vanilla, lemon, or peppermint)
* 1 medium saucepan
* Things to stick in the dough (popsicle sticks, straws)
* Things to pound with (like a toy mallet)
* Things to make impressions with (jar lids, cookie cutters, or bottle caps)
=> What to do
* Add the food coloring to the water. Then mix all of the ingredients together in a pan.
* Cook over medium heat, stirring until it forms a soft ball.
* Let the mixture cool. Knead slightly. Add food extracts to different chunks of the dough if you want different smells.
* Give some to your toddler or preschooler, so he can pound it, stick things in it, make impressions in it, and create all kinds of things.

Play dough is a great way to develop hand muscles and be creative. And cooking together, with all the measuring, is the perfect way to begin learning mathematics. Letting your child handle some dough while it is still slightly warm and some when it has cooled off is a terrific way to teach your child about temperatures. Play dough can be made ahead of time and stored in an air-tight bag or container.

BUBBLE MIXTURE

Mix 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid with 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp. sugar. Add a few drops of food colour if desired. Start with bubble pipes or straws if your child has trouble pursing his/her lips to blow.

SALT DOUGH

Mix 2 cups flour, I cup salt, 1 cup cold water (food colouring is optional for colour). Knead mixture until it forms a smooth dough.  Add more flour or coloured water to reach desired consistency.  Dries well in the air. Try a garlic press for great "spaghetti" or monster hair!

MAGIC MUD

Mix corn starch with a little water and food colour, do not worry, as it doesn't stay together. Let kids run their cars through the mud. Colour it green and add frogs and woodland animals, or colour it blue and add fish etc. When dry, it vacuums up.

DRIZZLE GOO

Mix 1 cup flour with 1/4 cup sugar. 1/4 cup salt, 3/4 cup water with food colour. Place in a squeeze bottle. Great for tactile letters for name cards. Let it dry flat overnight.

SUPER SIMPLE SPARKLE CHALK

Mix a thick paste of white sugar and water, dip sidewalk chalk in paste then use on paper. It dries great for tactile numbers and letters and lasts.