DIY Organic Playdough

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'Green' parents try to limit the amount of exposure to harmful dyes and chemicals. This is a fantastic healthy recipe for playdough that smells better, lasts longer and is much more pliable than the commercial kind.

Playdough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold and create great works of art.

Playdough has been around in one form or another for probably a century or two. Although back in time it was just called bread dough.Experiment with other ingredients that you have. Here are some suggestions and the necessary added ingredients...

Place the ingredients, in the order listed, into a large pot over a gentle flame and mix each well.

2 cups organic flour

2 cups warm water / apple juice / 1 1/2 cups water + 1/2 cup beet juice

2 tablespoons organic coconut oil

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1 cup organic sea salt

Keep mixing until it is a nice consistency.

Remove to a bowl and knead and punch it a bit.

For coloring add Beet Juice - Pink, Spinach Juice or Parsley Powder - Green, Carrot Juice or Paprika Powder - Orange, Turmeric Powder - Yellow

Apple Pie Playdough

Use apple juice in place of water, add cinnamon and nutmeg.

Peppermint -several drops of peppermint extract.

Chocolate - add one teaspoon grated cacao butter with the oil .

Orange - several drops of orange extract.

Lavender - several drops of organic lavender oil.

Vanilla - add organic vanilla powder.

Grapefruit - several drops of grapefruit essential oil.

As you can see from these suggestions, you can make the playdough in just about any flavor and scent you can imagine! We prefer to leave ours natural but you can also add colorant in any color you can find at your whole foods or natural market.

Can make balls about fist-sized, so that one or two may be used at a time.

They need not be kept in a refrigerator; just in an airtight dish and they won't get dry.

Store the rest in the refrigerator until needed.

Smooth Organic Clay
1 cup organic cornstarch
2 cups fine sea salt
1-1/3 cups cold water
Put salt and 2/3 cup water into a pan and bring to a boil.

Add 2/3 cup of water to the cornstarch and stir well.

Add the salted water to this mixture and knead into a clay.

Store in a airtight container in the refrigerator.

It’s easy to make non-toxic versions of Playdough or Clay with a few common pantry items. If you roll out, cut into shapes, and bake them like cookies, you can even paint your creations with eco-friendly paints.