Thursday, April 11, 2013

Messy, Mushy, Modelling Fun Series! (Part 2)

Moon Sand!
Moon Dough!
What is in this stuff that will stick together and doesn't dye your clothing or surfaces and yet doesn't dry out? Well, here's how to make it.


The consistency of this dough is lovely to feel and hold. It can be powdery like flour one moment, and then moldable like damp sand the next. This brought HOURS of fun to my home, and maybe it’ll do the same for yours…
Ingredients
  • 8 cups flour
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • Essential oil such as lavender or grapefruit (optional)
Instructions
  1. Scoop and pour the flour into the center of a large tub.
  2. Create a crater in the middle of the flour.
  3. Pour the oil into the crater.
  4. Gently mix it all together.
  5. Enjoy mixing and learning about the properties of the dough as it is, or add small silicone bowls, spoons, or measuring cups to make small structures, hills, or pretend cupcakes.
Notes
The original recipe is an 8:1 ratio and we started off with half the recipe (4 cups of Flour and ½ cup of oil) because I didn’t want to deplete my flour reserves, just in case. Turns out that this was such a hit and a full batch would have been equally wonderful, especially after playdates.

Messy, Mushy, Modelling Fun Series! (Part 1)

My kids love play dough, clay, moon sand....anything they can mold and play with in their hands, they want! With three kids, replacing these items regularly can put quite a dent in my bank account.  I have compiled a list of the recipes for these items that have worked best for us.  This is the first part of a ten part series.

The BEST  NO COOK Play Dough

You will need:

1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring
(You might also want essential oils for scents, glitter, or coconut oil to substitute the vegetable oil...it makes it smoother!)



  • Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
  • Add the boiling water
  • Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
  • Add the food coloring
  • Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
  • (If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)
Voila!
Now play, play play!

A Long Absence..

It has been quite a while since I posted anything here, and I promise to post more regularly.  A lot of personal things in our lives have come up in the past six months and that took precedence over the blog.
In this fast paced, go-go-go world, some times we need to just stop and take time.
Take time to listen to the kids, play a game, let them help you make dinner, make cookies or a cake just because.  Take time to play in the yard, play catch or tag.  Take time to watch the clouds drift by, talking about the different kinds or just be.  Take time to enjoy being in each other's presence.
Take time.
That may sound easier than it is sometimes.
I know I need to 'unplug' once in a while....put away my laptop, stay off the desktop, and only answer my phone if I need to.  Spend every available moment with the children while you can.  Childhood goes very quickly. Cherish every moment.
But I am BACK!  And it's going to rock.  Be ready to be slammed with lots of awesome posts and great ideas for you and your littles.

Love and stuff,
Courtney