Play-Doh

• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 and 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 and 1/4 tablespoons alum
• 3 tablespoons oil
• food coloring
• essential oil (optional)
• glitter (optional)

Boil water, add oil, food coloring and essential oil if you so desire. I like the lavender stuff, makes it feel like a spa day.

Mix together all the dry stuff, use a whisk. Get the alum mixed well though out. This is key. Stir in the water mixture, and kneed the stuff together. It will be hot, so best to do this with out your toddler. I personally don't have any feeling in my hands from burning my hands on a daily basis with all the cooking and baking I do.

I use this play-doh at home, and I make it up and take it to the kids at the YMCA daycare. It's a hit. Last longer than the store bought stuff, and it's probably cheaper. Alum is available at your grocery store in the spice aisle. Trust me, it is.