On Saturday it was Valentine’s Day, so I invited over my friend and her two children to come over and hang out, so I thought we could make Chocolate Play dough! I have made this a few times with Tyson and he loves it.
I let them help measure and pour ingredients – until it was time for the hot water. I did that and then they carefully added the flour and had a turn each of stirring.
Here is the recipe:
Chocolate Play Dough
Put ingredients into bowl in this order
- 1 Cup Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Cream of Tartar
- 4 Tablespoons Oil
- 3 Cups Boiling Water
- 1/2 Cup Cocoa
- 4 Cups Flour
Once all ingredients have been added, knead into a dough and add flour until desired consistency.
The benefits of play dough
When children help make play dough they develop maths and science concepts with measuring, counting, stirring, mixing, change of substance, cause and effect, develop hand eye co-ordination and small motor control.
When children play with play dough they learn to regulate their emotions, explore textures, stimulate the senses through touch, sight and smell. Children develop language skills, and understanding of properties of substances.
With the addition of props children can use imagination and promotes links to real life experiences and imitation.
Props that can be used from the kitchen drawer:
chopsticks, plastic lids, cookie cutters, cut up straws, small containers, plastic knives, yoghurt containers, ice cube trays, etc
See the recipe for Vanilla Play dough under Sensory Activities on the blog.