Holidays for the kiddos makes it the perfect time to try some fun new play recipes. Each of these offers a unique sensory experience that most kids love—and the best part? Sensory activities encourage children to create, explore, imagine, and investigate!
Create a dedicated play space by setting up the play dough or slime on a tray to provide structure and help contain any mess. Depending on your child’s age and interests, set the play dough or slime out solo, or add a few tools. With play dough try cookie cutters, a mini rolling pin, stamps, and small animal figures. For slime, try things like kids’ scissors, strainers, small cups, and glass gems. Both of these recipes can be stored in an air-tight container and played with again and again. Here’s to a summer full of play!
Naturally Dyed Slime
Ingredients
Activator
– 1 tsp Eco-Pioneer Pure Borax
– 1 cup warm water
Slime
– ¼ cup white school glue
– 3 tbsp warm water
– Color Garden Plant-Based Food Colour Preparations
Instructions
- Make the Activator: In a small bowl, mix borax with 1 cup warm water until the borax is fully dissolved. Set aside.
- Make the Slime: In a small bowl, whisk together the white school glue and warm water until uniform. Add drops of food colouring, stirring to blend, until desired colour is achieved.
- Add ¼ cup of activator to the glue/water mixture. Save the remaining activator in a small spray bottle. Use a metal spoon to stir the mixture vigorously until it begins coming together in a lump. Knead with your hands until the mixture becomes denser. Allow the slime to rest for about 5 minutes. The rest time will vastly improve the texture of your slime and is ready to be played with!
Note: If you find that your slime becomes sticky over time, spray it with the activator and knead it in.
Naturally Dyed Essential Oil Scented Play Dough
Ingredients
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– ¼ cup table salt
– 1 tbsp Nature’s Finest Tart-O-Cream
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– 1 tbsp Now Solutions Vegetable Glycerine
– ½ cup boiling water
– Color Garden Plant-Based Food Colour Preparations
– 10 drops kid-friendly Aura Cacia pure essential oil (sweet orange, lemon, and lavender are all lovely options)
– citrus zest or lavender buds if desired
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, salt, Tart-O-Cream, vegetable oil, and vegetable glycerine.
- Bring ½ cup of water to a boil and add drops of food colouring, stirring to blend, until desired colour is achieved. Stir the coloured water into the other ingredients.
- Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes, then empty the mixture onto the counter and knead thoroughly. Once the dough is nearly cool, add a few drops of essential oil and citrus zest/lavender buds, and knead it some more. Add a bit of flour if it’s too sticky. When the dough is cool and no longer sticky, it’s ready to be played with!
Jen Kossowan is an kindergarten and grade one teacher and mama of two gorgeous kiddos. She’s passionate about play, loves a good diy project, and can most often be found in her kitchen whipping up recipes that taste delicious while meeting her crunchy mama criteria. She started Mama.Papa.Bubba. on a whim in 2010 while living in the Middle East and has been sharing her recipes and activities there ever since.
mamapapabubba.com | @mamapapabubba
