Playtime for under fives

(and those young at heart!)

On wet and cold days when going outside is really not an option, spending some time with your child means doing things indoors.

However, it doesn’t mean you can’t be creative or make a bit of mess! Below are some good old-fashioned ideas to keep your child busy. 

Playdough

There are commercial playdoughs around; however, making your own can be great fun and when you are finished with it, wrap it up in plastic and you can freeze it for another day.

You will need:

1 cup plain flour

½ cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1 tablespoon oil

1 cup water

Food colouring

In a saucepan combine flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil and mix with water. Stir constantly over a medium heat until the dough becomes thick and does not stick to the saucepan. Remove from heat.

Separate dough into several individual moulds and add food colouring.

When the dough is cool to the touch, it’s time to play! 

Fingerpaint

There is something quite satisfying about putting your fingers into paint and feeling it squish through your fingers. This is a very messy playtime and good amounts of paper should be spread on the floor to catch stray paint. Paper towels or an old cloth should be easy accessible for children to clean their hands and should be put out BEFORE you start painting. Make sure children wear old clothes or a painting apron. This mixture will keep for up to three weeks, if covered and kept in the fridge.

You will need:

2 cups of cold water

½ cup plain flour

2 tablespoons cornflour

4 tablespoons cold water

Food colouring

Place water and flour in a saucepan and bring to the boil. You will need to stir constantly to prevent the mixture sticking to the bottom of the pan.

In a separate container, mix together cornflour and second amount of water. Add this to flour mixture and cook until the mixture begins to thicken.

Remove from heat and allow to cool. When cool, add food colouring.

Roll up your sleeves and start fingerpainting. Enjoy!

Bubble mixture

Lastly, here is a bubble mixture that will get you outside and put a smile on everyone’s face.

You will need:

4 tablespoons hot water

2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons clear dishwashing detergent

2 tablespoons glycerine

Old bubble blowers

Stir water and sugar together until sugar dissolves and then add detergent and glycerine to the sugar mixture.  Then go outside and have some fun.

If your child gets bubble mixture in their eyes, flush out with fresh water immediately. Also, this mixture is not drinkable, so supervise children.