Playdoh Recipe/cheap toy ideas

SkyKitty

Does anyone know how to make home-made playdoh?

I am generally in need of some advice. I'm getting married soon, and my best friend, her husband and 2 boys, one aged 5 the other 1, are coming to stay for a few days before the wedding. This is great and I'm really excited about them coming but I don't want the kids, especially the 5 year old to be bored. I don't have kids, or any friends anywhere near me (as I only moved here recently) who have kids.

I don't want to spend a load of money buying stuff, as we're moving house soon and its just more stuff to move, and they're flying over here, so can't take extra stuff back with them.

Any other ideas for cheap, entertainment would be appreciated. We live in a flat with no outdoor space, so that doesn't help, and I don't want the kid to spend 4 days watching CBeebies!

poppycracker

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/playdough.htm

heres a recipe, seems to be quite simple.

Bitsy_Beans

Can you try asking for any unwanted toys on Freecycle and then pass them on when you're finished with them? Or perhaps look at some charity shops for any cheap toys/jigsaws?
My two love playing with cardboard boxes etc or saucepans and wooden spoons - stuff like that.
I would imagine though your friend will bring some toys along with her - any chance you could check with her before you feel the need to rush out and buy anything?

SkyKitty

Freecycle is a good idea, I have actually registered but I almost never think to actually check it. They won't be bringing any toys really, again because they have to fly over so they're already having to bring loads of stuff - travel cot, push chair etc, but I will definately check out the playdoh recipe and freecycle.

fernliebee

Yeah the playdoh is really easy to make it comes out great, I add glitter to it or you can leave out the food colouring, and add raisins so you can pretend to cook! Or even better do some real cooking with them. Treasure hunts for the 5 yr old are a good one, only needs pen and paper. Also what about a local toy library? They are usually fairly cheap to join and loan toys for about 50p. They have lot's of different types of toys it's brilliant!

Have fun!

freda

• get a load of books out of the library, also arrange a visit to the libary while they are there
• Research good trips out - local park, soft play area, local farm or zoo etc (look on netmums.co.uk for local activity listings
• Collect all of the cardboard loo rolls, cereal boxes, plastic bottles, sparkly wrapping paper, pens, pencils, glitter, glue, wool, stickers etc etc that you possibly can and put them (except the glue and pens) into a big box for them to explore
• If you have a little £ to spend, try shops like The Works and Wilkinsons/pound shops, tesco, asda etc for some cheap toys. I'm thinking things like soft indoor balls, toy cars, a couple of soft toys, paint with water etc
• Get plastic plates, cups, spoons etc for a teddy bears picnic
• Get a large sheet to put over table or chairs for a den
• Keep magazines for the older one to cut out pictures, maybe make own puzzle by sticking to card and cutting into pieces
• Get some children's music tapes and audio books out of the library
• Get some socks to make sock puppets, wooden spoons to make spoon puppets
• Ask any friends with children if they have any toys you could borrow, also ask if they have any cots, high chairs, pushchairs etc to borrow to save parents having to fly with all of that
• Kitchen things like pots, pans, wooden spoons, tins etc all make good drums
• Make rattles out of bottles with rice in. Sellotape on the lid to make extra sure it doens't come out!
• Think of some cooking ideas. Make pizza and get them to do the toppings. Make rice crispie cakes. Stir up the ingredients for a sponge cake.

I could go on and on, but have to go and do the washing up now. Hopefully this has given you a few ideas!!

Mrs_Thrify

Hiya, start saving some small plastic bottles for bath time, like empty washing up liquid bottles, shampoo bottles.

Save all card board, the kind you have things boxed in from the shops, cereal boxes. Children love puting things in/out, climbing in or open up flat to colour on.

Rice or pasta in a plastic drinks bottle for shakers, just glue down the lid

Make a den out of big sheets or throws.

Get some books from a car boot sale.

Walk to the park/swings.

jackomdj

5yo will probably be happy with paper & pens. Mine will spend all day drawing. Or get any old cards etc & a glue stick for more hours of fun.

I agree about freecycle, put a want in & say what you are after & that it will get reposted after the visit! This time of year you will probably get lots of offers as people are having a pre christmas clear out!

emsywoo123

It strikes me that everyone else in the world knows how to make this except me.....can anyone enlighten me?! :j

Many thanks

Desperado99

This is a link to the recipe I use:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1134073

Very simple - made in a saucepan
Heat gently until it looks like playdough
keep in an airtight container in the fridge



PS: as it uses a lot of salt, I buy the really cheap table salt (same goes for the oil too)

Doubtful_Guest

I used to make it quite regularly but never though of cooking it before.
The recipe I knew was just really simple.

1 part salt
1 part water
2 parts flour
A spoonful or two of cooking oil.

We used to mix in food colouring and sometimes made smelly playdough by mixing in vanilla or lemon essence or a couple of drops of essential oils.