best playdough recipe

‘Play School’ is an Aussie institution. Recently celebrating 50 years of the beloved preschoolers television show, it’s still going strong and holds a special place in many a person’s heart- both young and old. I love trying to guess which window they’re going through, look forward to finding out the time on the ‘rocket clock’ and get very excited when it’s time for the cooking segment.

For me, there was nothing better than when they’d make fruit salad, using that melon baller to scoop the watermelon, rockmelon and honeydew in to little balls! Does anyone else know what I’m talking about? I used to love it so much that Mum went out and tracked one down for us to use at home.

Mum remembers how crucial ‘3 o’clock’ was when she had young kiddies at home. She’d have half an hour to get as many jobs done as possible, while the kids were quiet in front of the tv. She does admit to watching ‘Play School’ with us instead, on many occasions; the jobs would just have to wait! How different it was back then. Before the days of video recorders, DVD players, Netflix and Foxtel.

The Play School windows

These days, we’re spoilt for choice, being able to watch any number of shows, at any time of day on any number of devices. My girls know how to use the iPhone, iPad and laptop better than I do and they’re only aged 3 and 4! Kids today are pretty spoilt. And although things might have changed in many ways, my girls still like watching ‘Play School’.

The masters of all things craft and children’s activities, it’s fitting that I’m sharing with you this playdough recipe – that I came across in the ‘Play School Useful Book’ at Nee and Pop’s house over the weekend. If anyone’s going to know how to make playdough – it’s them.

The perfect activity for young kiddies, it’s a great way to get them helping in the kitchen. It’s really easy to make and much better than the no-cook playdough recipes I’ve tried in the past. It holds it’s moisture and doesn’t dry out if you keep it tightly wrapped in glad wrap when it’s not being played with.

So a special thanks to ‘Play School’ for keeping us entertained for so long. I look forward to seeing how you continue to evolve in the years to come. Changes will be made I’m sure. But just promise me one thing.

Don’t ever get rid of that melon baller.

best playdough recipe

1 x cup of plain flour
1/2 cup of salt
2 x tablespoons of cream of tartar
1 x tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 x cup of water
Assorted food colouring

Simply add all ingredients to a medium sized saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon as you go, until you form a dough. (See pictures below).
Remove the playdough, divide it in to three or four evenly sized balls and place them in bowls to cool.
Add a few drops of food colouring to each bowl and using your hands, combine until you’re happy with the colour. (It’s a good idea to use disposable plastic gloves to protect your hands from the food colouring).Go ahead and play with your playdough, making sure to keep it wrapped in gladwrap to avoid it drying out when it’s not being played with.