We've made home-made play-dough a few times before in the Baby Squared household, but today was special, because we did it without pants. That is, the girls did. Elsa started it. We were all just hanging out in the living room, reading books and doing puzzles and stuff, and she suddenly decided to pull her pants down. (Her very favorite pants, too -- the black pleather ones her grandma scored from the thrift shop!) I asked her if she wanted to go to the potty (not like she ever does), but she said no, and started shuffling around with her pants around her ankles, grinning. "Elsa funny?" she asked. "Yeah," I replied. "You're pretty funny." She eventually took them all the way off, and Clio decided that this seemed like a pretty good idea, so I helped her take her pants off too. Both girls suggested that I follow suit, but I declined. My legs aren't nearly as cute as theirs are.
The pants stayed off all afternoon. I think this made the play-dough making experience extra special. The girls got to feel more connected to their medium, while at the same time saving their pants from wet flour paste and food coloring stains. (This is especially good for Elsa, who asks to wear her black pleather pants almost every day.) It was also gave the whole thing a summery sort of feel, in spite of the fact that outside it was 29 degrees, with a foot of snow on the ground.
So, without further ado, here you go: Play-Dough Sans Pants. Or Pantless Play-dough, if you don't like the French. (Apologies to my French readers. I like you.)
Age range: 2 years - adult
Materials needed: Flour, salt, water, measuring cups, bowls, spoons, food coloring (optional)
Materials NOT needed: Pants
Prep time: None, not counting time required to remove pants.
Time it will keep your kids quietly, safely occupied: A good 20 minutes, at least
Developmental benefits: Enhances small motor skills, encourages creativity, fosters body-image self-esteem
There are a zillion different play-dough recipes out there, but I like this one because it's so easy, and there's no cooking involved. Just mix 1/4 cup salt and 1 cup of flour, then add between 1/3 and 1/2 cup water. (Add it slowly to get the consistency you want, and add more flour and salt if it gets too wet.) If you want, you can add food coloring to the water. Of course, the kiddos can help pour the ingredients into the bowl / onto the floor and mix to their hearts' content. It may take a little adult muscle/coordination to get the final mixing done, so you actually get a nice big glob of dough.
In the past, I've done most of the making myself, so that the focus of the activity was really more about playing with the play-dough. And not as messy. But today, I don't know -- the whole pants off thing got me feeling kind of crazy and loose, and I let the girls do most of the pouring and mixing themselves. The results were gloriously messy, and the girls loved it.
Elsa's intense, hands-on culinary technique.
Clio doing something she knows she's not supposed to do -- without pants on. No doubt it won't be the last time.
