Discussing Autism

You are into the swing of things at school, right? And the teacher asks you for playdough…You have two options: Crayola Modeling Clay or Make your own. Now that it is colder and you need a craft…maybe make your own?

Making Play Dough can be a great Fine Motor Task, Sensory exploration, and math instruction. For AJ, this can be an excellent way to learn patience, something that he has a difficult time with. We often try to make muffins, cookies, or just dinner and he can’t do it. He immediately wants to get down and move on to the next thing or go play. But, if he is physically able to dig his hands in (something I get nervous about with eggs and other perishable materials in foods), then he can have a great time.

How about some great new recipies for home-made Playdough? Some are gluten free (just use rice flour), some Salicylate free, some both.

Earth Friendly Play Dough

• 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
  
• 1/2 cup salt
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  

Mix in saucepan over low heat. (It does not have to heat long.) Dough is ready when it rolls into a ball. Keep dough fresh in an airtight container. If you need to make different colors, add food coloring while mixing over heat.

Kool-Aid® Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
  
• 1/4 cup salt
  
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  
• 1 cup water

Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool-Aid® in a medium pot. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes. When mixture forms a ball in pot, remove. Knead until smooth. Put in a plastic bag and refrigerate.

Cornstarch Clay

• 1 cup cornstarch
  
• 2 cups salt
  
• 1 1/3 cups cold water
  

Put salt and 2/3 cup water in pan and bring to a boil. Mix cornstarch with 2/3 cup water and mix well. Blend 2 mixtures together and knead into clay. The dough has to be heated as it is combined to set. Makes about 3 cups. This clay can be air dried and then painted. Store unused clay in airtight container in the fridge.

No-Cook Clay Dough

• 3 cups flour
  
• 3 cups salt
  
• 3 tablespoons alum
  

Combine ingredients and slowly add water, a little at a time. Mix well with spoon. As mixture thickens, continue mixing with your hands until it has the feel of clay. If it feels too dry, add more water. If it is too sticky, add equal parts of flour and salt.

Cooked Clay Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 4 cups water
  
• 1 cup salt
  
• 3 or 4 pounds flour
  
• food coloring
  

Stir slowly and be patient with this recipe. Blend the flour and cornstarch with cold water. Add salt to the water and boil. Pour the boiling salt and water solution into the flour and cornstarch paste and cook over hot water until clear. Add the flour and coloring to the cooked solution and knead. After the clay has been in use, if too moist, add flour; if dry, add water. Keep in covered container. Wrap dough with damp cloth or towel. This dough has a very nice texture and is very popular with all age groups. May be kept 2 or 3 weeks.

For more kids crafts…