My girls have been playing with play dough since they were two years old. I have probably made 100 batches of the homemade variety over the years. Now that they are seven and nine, they are still playing with it – usually for several hours at a time. My older daughter received some Crayola Model Magic for her birthday – works a lot like play dough, except after you have sculpted your project, it’s meant to dry out after a few days so you can keep it.

Here is a peek into this afternoon’s play, inspired by the latest Squinkie fad. (In case you were wondering, Squinkies are pencil top erasers made to look like miniature people and animals.)

Here’s the recipe for Homemade Play Dough if you would like to make it for your kids or grandkids:

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. water
1 tsp. oil
food coloring

Combine dry ingredients in a small saucepan, then add water and oil. Stir continuously over medium heat until dough is formed. Once it reaches stiff mashed potato consistency, remove from heat. Allow to cool a bit, then divide and color with food coloring as desired. I just mix the colors in by hand. It can be a bit messy though! Store in an air-tight container.

What are your kids up to today?