3 Homemade Playdough Recipes
Playdough is a favorite artistic medium of kids everywhere. Parents love it because it encourages creativity and provides a fun, quiet indoor activity. Playdough can be used over and over again if kept in its container, or kids can let their creations dry and keep them.
You can find playdough in almost any store that sells toys. But it’s also very cheap and easy to make. You probably have everything you need to make at least one type of playdough in your kitchen cupboard. Some recipes are even edible. Here are three fun and simple ways to make playdough.
1. Authentic Playdough
Ingredients
* 1 cup flour
* 1 cup water
* 1 tbsp. oil
* 1 tbsp. powdered alum
* ½ cup salt
* 2 tbsp. vanilla
* Food coloring
Instructions
1. Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly in saucepan.
2. Add oil and water.
3. Cook at medium heat, stirring constantly. It’s done when it has a consistency similar to that of mashed potatoes.
4. Remove the dough from heat and stir in vanilla and food coloring. Work the color in by kneading the dough.
5. When completely cooled, store in an airtight container. This dough will keep for at least two months.
This home-made playdough has a look and feel very similar to the store-bought kind. It is not intended to be eaten, but is not toxic to humans.
2. Peanut Butter Playdough
Ingredients
* 3 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
* 4 cups powdered sugar
* 4 cups powdered milk
* 3 ½ cups corn syrup
Instructions
1. Combine ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
2. Place the dough onto wax paper and model with it. When the kids are through playing, they can eat it.
Tip: For more edible fun, use sprinkles and candies to decorate creations made with peanut butter playdough.
3. Kool Aid Playdough
Ingredients
* 3 cups flour
* ½ cup salt
* 2 packages of unsweetened Kool Aid
* 2 cups water
Instructions
1. Boil water.
2. While the water is heating, combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Add boiling water and stir.
3. Knead the dough on a floured board. Add small amounts of flour until you reach the desired consistency.
4. When completely cool, store in a tightly covered container.
This playdough will last a few months if stored properly, and it has a wonderful scent.
Making playdough with the kids is a fun rainy day project. It’s a great way to get them involved in cooking, and the finished product can provide hours more of fun. And recipes such as the one for peanut butter playdough serve yet another purpose: they make a delicious snack! So when your child runs out of playdough, don’t run to the store. Just head to the kitchen!
Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit, offer a number of benefits. The alpha hydroxyl acids naturally exfoliate our skin and citrus has astringent, antiseptic and detoxifying effects on the skin. Additionally citrus scents can be relaxing and refreshing, leaving you feeling quite pampered. Here are three homemade spa treatments with citrus fruit that you can do at home.
Relaxing Citrus Spa Bath
Grab two oranges and two lemons, dim the lights and if you choose, light a few beeswax or soy candles – it’s time to pamper yourself. Slice the oranges and lemons into ¼ inch or smaller thick slices. Run a warm bath and drop the slices into it just before you settle in for a refreshing and cleansing soak.
Citrus Mask
Combine one medium-sized papaya, the juice from one lemon, and a teaspoon of honey in a blender on low speed until you have a smooth cream or paste. Transfer to a small container. Wash your face and dry it. Apply the mask, leave on for thirty minutes and rinse clean. The natural fruit acids will exfoliate your skin and leave your face feeling smooth and radiant.
Milk Cleanser and Lemon Toner
In a small bowl, combine one teaspoon of powdered milk and one teaspoon of water, then mix until you have a smooth paste. Apply to your face and neck. Apply the mixture to your face in small massaging circles. Rinse, dry and squeeze one small lemon into a clean container. Apply lemon juice to a cotton ball and apply to your clean skin. The lemon juice serves as the perfect toner to your clean, non-oily milk cleanser.
Citrus/Almond Scrub
Scrubs are a great way to exfoliate dead skin from your face, elbows, knees and other rough areas of your skin. The lemon juice and zest in this recipe adds a nice invigorating scent and helps exfoliate.
You’ll need:
* 3 almonds
* The zest from 1 lemon
* 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon honey
Directions
Grab a clean coffee grinder or food processor and ground up your three almonds. Zest a lemon and add that to the food processor or coffee grinder. Pour ground mixture into a small bowl and add lemon juice and honey. Mix until combined and you have a lemony, yet coarse cream. Apply the mixture to your clean and dry face, massaging in a circular motion to lift and remove dirt and dead skin. Rinse clean with warm water.
Citrus is often used to lighten hair during the summer by taking advantage of a chemical reaction with the sun that lightens the hair. It’s also used to exfoliate rough elbows and knees by simply halving a lemon and rubbing on the rough spots.
Citrus, in short, offers a number of beauty benefits naturally. It invigorates with its natural and appealing aroma and enhances any home beauty regimen. Enjoy!
