Playdough Ice Cream

If you have never made homemade playdough here is your chance. Trust me, it is so easy to make and a fun activity to do with your children. All of my playdough activities start with the same recipe. With a few simple additions (colors, glitter and/or props) playdough is a wonderful learning tool. Today we are making Playdough Ice Cream. Let’s get started!

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE PLAYDOUGH ICE CREAM

makes enough for 4 children (I doubled this recipe to make Playdough Ice Cream)
2 C flour
1 C salt
2 C water
2 TB vegetable oil
4 tsp cream of tartar (purchase here via Amazon)
food coloring (I chose green for pistachio, pink for strawberry and purple for black raspberry)
props such as cut up colored straws, small beads, red pom poms, paper towel rolls/toilet paper rolls, spoons, bowls

AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED BY PLAYDOUGH ICE CREAM

mathematics (measurement, addition)
gross motor development (stirring)
scientific exploration (observing what happens to playdough when heated)
fine motor development
literacy
dramatic play
creativity

HOW TO MAKE PLAYDOUGH ICE CREAM

Pour first five ingredients into a large saucepan and stir together. This is a great opportunity to include your children. Show them how to measure the ingredients and pour them in.

More than one child? Have them take turns pouring ingredients and stirring. This is an easy opportunity to practice basic counting, verbal directions and patience. We sing “We stir and we stir and we stop. We stir and we stir and we stop. We stir and we stir and we stir and we stir, we stir and we stir and we stop. Next person!” It’s a simple song that everyone can learn quickly and helps manage turn taking. Divide the playdough mixture into three bowls and add the different food coloring.

Move the mixture to the stove top and cook on medium heat constantly stirring. In the beginning the playdough mixture will look like very thick pancake batter.

Continue to stir until a ball forms. Remove from heat and cool on a counter top. Be careful! The playdough will be very hot.

Once warm or cool to the touch your playdough is ready. Repeat steps with the other playdough mixtures. Place the playdough into containers. Tape labels to the containers describing the different flavors.

Add come fun props to your playdough ice cream shop such as cut up colored straws or beads for sprinkles, small red pom poms for cherries, spoons, and cut up paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls for ice cream cones. Organize the playdough and various props on a table and let your children get to work.