Winter - The Idea Room

How To Make Play Dough—Peppermint

Sorry about not getting this up sooner. Things have been crazy around here with that wind storm. I just finally found some time to sit down and get this typed up. Have you ever wondered how to make Play Dough? It could not be simpler. I have shared how to make some fun Kool-Aid Flavored Play Dough and Pumpkin Spice Play Dough. Well, since it is Christmas time, I decided we needed to make some Peppermint Play Dough. So I fiddled with the recipe a bit and came up with a recipe for some yummy smelling Peppermint Play Dough.

Peppermint Play Dough Recipe

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 Tablespoon Peppermint Oil Extract
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup water

1. Mix flour, salt, & cream of tartar in a medium cooking pot.
2. Add water, peppermint extract and oil.
3. Stir over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes stirring constantly.
4. When mixture forms a ball in pot, remove.
5. Knead until smooth.
6. Play and explore with this fragrant, brightly colored dough as you would any play dough.
7. Put in a plastic bag and refrigerate to store.

A great way to entertain the kids during Christmas break. Or a great gift for a neighbor, classmates or friends. It is so easy to make and is the softest (non sticky) Play Dough recipe I have ever used. I like it better than the store bought stuff…plus…it smells amazing!! And if you are feeling extra festive…throw in a handful of red glitter to give it some fun sparkle!

And, in the spirit of giving, I have provided you with a free printable Peppermint Play Dough label for the tops of your jars or Tupperware containers to label it for a gift. The labels are 3 inch circles. If you need them smaller you can simply print the label smaller than 100% to get the size you need.

{Download Peppermint Play Dough Label}

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. I would love to hear from those of you who are planning on making some for yourself or who plan on gifting it. 19 more sleeps till Christmas…but who’s counting!!

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December 6, 2011 · Filed under: Activities, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Recipes, Crafts, Kids, Recipes, Winter Tagged with homemade play dough, How to make Play Do, Make Play Dough, Peppermint Play Do, Play do recipes, play dough

Snow Paint

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We are in full blown winter over here…are you? Here is a super simple activity that you could make right now to entertain the kids with…Snow Paint!

Simply take some water bottles and fill with water and food coloring. The more food coloring, the darker the paint. Super simple concept and idea. My kids were able to play with some this past weekend after church and actually spent quite a bit of time outside painting their “masterpieces”.

The only thing I would caution you on is that I am not sure if the food coloring will stain the kids clothing. So with that said, make sure you don’t send them out in that cute white coat they just got for Christmas!

*edit–One reader Stephanie has done this with her kids and cautioned to keep the spray away from vinyl fences! Thanks for the tip Stephanie!

Anyone else out there enjoying the snowy weather?

★Amy

January 4, 2011 · Filed under: Activities, Kids, Outdoors, Winter Tagged with

Oreo Snowman Pops

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I tell ya…I am obsessed with Snowmen…so I apologize in advance for yet another snowman related post. This time I wanted to make some Snowman pops that were similar to these Reindeer Pops.

Simply take some Double Stuff Oreos (or Oreo Cakesters) and insert a popsicle or sucker stick into the frosting in the middle of the Oreo. Melt some white chocolate. I used white CandiQuik which can be found in the baking supply area of your grocery store. It melts very quickly and covers very nicely.

Then set them to dry on some wax paper. Add mini chocolate chips for the eyes and the mouth. Add a candy corn for the nose. That’s it. If needed, you can trim the edges of the chocolate with some kitchen scissors to make a nice smooth edge.

Then, since I had some leftover melted CandiQuik, I made some fun melted snowmen. Pretty much using the same process. Just pour a puddle of CandiQuik onto the wax paper and then place a dipped oreo on the puddle. Make the eyes, mouth and nose with the mini chocolate chips and a candy corn. This time you can add a scarf using a piece of licorice, some buttons (more mini chocolate chips) and some arms using a pretzel stick broken in half.