Some may argue that it takes longer to make dough than to go into a local dollar store and buy moulding clay. Sure, anyone can buy brightly coloured plasticine, but do you know what you are getting inside that abnormally bright stuff? More importantly, do you know what it's putting inside your kids?
Artificial Colour: A Potential Health Hazard
Artificial colourings, such as Tartrazine, (commonly listed as FD&C Yellow #5 on ingredients’ listings), are under scrutiny by various health officials around the world, as they are being linked to health concerns triggering allergies. The Canadian Medical Association journal had published a concern that tartrazine is a potentially hazardous dye. Yet, it still appears in various corn-based breakfast cereals, and in food dyes.
While you may like the idea of making your own brightly coloured play-clay for the little ones, using food colouring may be counter-productive, especially if your motives are health-related. Below is a recipe for a gluten-free version that is safe for children and adults with wheat allergies.
Enjoy the Process of Making Play-Clay – and Sculpting With It!
Sometimes, the process of making something is that much more worthwhile when you work for it. Making a homemade version of Play Doh can ensure a healthier playtime while saving some money. An added advantage is that it’s biodegradable, so even when that cracked and used up dough is hardened, you don’t have to worry about toxins leaching into soil or waterways.
If you make the process of creating the dough itself an activity with the children, they may appreciate knowing where it comes from as much as you do. They may even prefer making the dough to creating masterpieces with it!
Ingredients for Homemade Mock Play Doh
- 1 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
How to Make Vegetable-Based Dyes for Play Clay:
- For fuchsia coloured clay: 2 Tablespoons red cabbage, or more if you would like a more intense colour, and some lemon juice.
- For orange coloured clay: 2 Tablespoons of finely grated carrot
- For brown coloured clay: 1 cup tightly packed onion skins – not the vegetable, itself, just the papery covering.
Heat water over a low heat and add the vegetable you selected for the colour: The finer you grate the cabbage or carrot, the stronger the food dye will be. A microplane grater would be recommended. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the grated cabbage a little at a time and the colour will darken. Once you’ve reached the colour intensity that you want, strain the cabbage pieces out with a sieve and add the cornstarch mixture until it is thick.
Making and Storing Your Own Plasticine
While the dye is heating, mix the baking soda and cornstarch together in a pan, then add to the liquid vegetable dye. Stir constantly, so it will not burn. Place mixture on a pastry board or bread board to cool. As soon as it is cool enough to handle, knead well.
Store unused dough in a plastic bag. Since it contains baking soda, it can dry out quite quickly, and crack. If you want it to last a bit longer, you can paint it with a lead-free varnish, shellac or clear nail polish.
Naomi Szeben - Six-time Editor's Choice Award winner Naomi Szeben puts life into "green and simple living" articles for Suite 101.com. She graduated ...
