Scented Art Dough

As a mother of two boys, and as a former preschool/homeschool teacher, home art activities were always part of our curriculum. This easy recipe, using common ingredients found in your kitchen cabinets, combines art and science to create a reusable “play- doh” for hours of fun.
Children of all ages can help with the project, which includes measuring, pouring, and stirring for fine motor skills and a discussion of how all these single ingredients combine to create a new substance.
To start, gather the ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup salt
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 package soft drink mix, such as Kool-Aid
1 cup boiling water

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and powdered drink mix with a large spoon. Talk about how these ingredients are dry and mix together easily, and the drink powder seems to have no color.
As you measure the boiling water, discuss how the water bubbles and creates steam as it gets hot, and that’s how you can tell it’s not safe to touch. Before you add the water to the dry ingredients, add the tablespoons (3) of oil and discuss how the oil sits on top of the water, even after you stir it. This is because even though both are liquid, they are different weights.
Now pour the water and oil mixture into the bowl; as you do so there should be an explosion of color and scent from the drink mix. Stir until all ingredients are combined and the mixture forms a soft dough. Let cool until it can be handled safely, then knead until smooth.
Your scented art dough is ready to be shaped into all kinds of creations. Store in an air-tight container when not in use.