Clean-up is a breeze with our Soapy Dough! Kids love the squishy, gooey texture. Kneading and shaping the dough helps kids develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Here's an easy recipe for making this play dough.
What You Will Need:
- 2 cups Flour
- 1/2 cup Salt
- 2 teaspoons Liquid Tempera Paint
- 1 tablespoon Liquid Soap
- 3/4 cup Water
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Plastic zippered storage bag
What You Do:
- Mix flour, salt, paint, and liquid soap together in a mixing bowl.
- Add water to the dough until the dough is stiff, but not sticky.
Add more water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. The dough should be soft and pliable, but not sticky. - Knead the dough to work all the ingredients together.
- Play and create!
- When you are done playing with the Soapy Dough, store in a plastic bag. When the dough begins to dry out, it's time to make a new batch!
The Science:
Flour provides the structure and base for the play dough. It contains proteins (gluten) that give the dough its elasticity and strength. The salt adds texture and acts as a preservative, helping to extend the shelf life of the play dough. Salt also makes the dough more pliable and less sticky. Liquid soap acts as a binder and adds moisture, making the dough soft and easy to mold. The soap also makes the dough slightly foamy and gives it a nice clean scent. The tempura paint provides vibrant colors and is safe for kids to use.
