"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."

- Wassily Kandinsky

Play Dough Valentine - Sensory Art For Kids

Materials:

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Play Dough is known as doh-doh in my house. Both of my girls were introduced to the stuff around age 2. My girls are 6 and 12 now and I still keep two large bins of dough and accessories around because they love to roll, knead, and sculpt. Play Dough is the great common denominator. For little ones it is a wonderful material for sensory and imaginative play and it is great for developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. For older kids it allows them to slow down and just focus on what is right in front of them. There is something very calming and therapeutic about rolling, pounding, and chopping dough.

I love this valentine idea because it's fun for ages 2-102, it is colorful and tactile, it does not involve sugar, AND it can extend far beyond the day of hearts. Don't you think these would make really lovely party favors?! Me too!

Pop over to the ART CAMP STORE to download your printable!

This is how I feel about Play Dough. Store bought or homemade, it's all good.

Homemade Play Dough recipe:

2 cups flour
3/4 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tarter
2 cups lukewarm water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
Food coloring
Plastic gloves and/or sandwich baggies for color mixing

Stir together the flour, salt, and cream of tarter in a large pot. Next add the water and oil. Cook over medium heat and stir. Keep stirring until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball. Remove from heat and then place onto wax paper. Once it is cool to the touch, you can knead until smooth. Divide the dough into 5 balls (one for each color). I highly suggest wearing plastic gloves when it's time to add the color. If you don't have gloves you can color mix inside a Ziploc baggie. You want to start with about 5 drops of food coloring, you can add more if you want a more vibrant dough color.

Store the play dough inside the bags once done to keep soft. This dough should keep for up to 3 months if stored properly.

1. Make or buy your Play Dough. 2. Roll the dough into tiny, colorful balls (think quarter sized). 3. Slip it into a Ziplock baggie. 4. Trim your baggie, if needed. 5. Seal the top of your bag (to keep the dough moist) with clear packing tape (or whatever you have on hand). 6. Print and trim your rainbow greeting. 6. Staple to the top of your bag.