Need recipe for play dough

I admit it; I have raised 4 boys and have never <gasp> made my own play dough. Anyone have a good (EASY) recipe? Or any other neat ideas in the modeling clay type activity range?

Kool Aid Play Doh is great~~

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
1 tbsp. cooking oil
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid
1 c. boiling water

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat until mixture forms a ball. Pour onto waxed paper or bread board and knead. Store in airtight container.
Mixing it with Kool-Aid gives the dough surprising scents: lemon, cherry, lime, orange, and will last for weeks in an airtight container.

NOTE: If child eats this, it is non-toxic.

I have everything except cream of tartar:(

I should have mentioned (my bad,) you can use boiling water then you don't have to make it in the stove just mix it, then its no cook you can do it eithier way (with cold water then bringing it to a boil, or hot water and not cooking it)

Cream of trater can be found in the "baking needs/baking" isle of any store

You can substitute baking soda in place of cream of tartar - you'd have to google the 'measurements' for the difference though.

My understanding is it is basically just a natural 'preservative' to give the doh more shelf life!

does the kool aid stain the kids hands?

nope cause the water desolves it smells very good grape and cherry are my favs

In place of the koolaid you can just you food colouring. Enough to colour but not enough there to stain.

The cream of tartar can also be bought at the bulk store so you can buy as little or as much as you want to. Have never substituted just bought and kept it on hand. I actually have some shortbread recipes that call for it instead of baking soda/baking powder. Not really sure of what it does in baking.

I prefer to use cold water and bring to a boil and cook it on the stove till some of the moisture is gone and it forms a ball - don't worry about the pan as it will all wash off with a short soak. Then turn it out onto board and knead a bit to keep it smooth - be careful it is hot. Stored in an empty jar with a tight lid and put away right after use and it can be kept for weeks.

What I like is that it is all food ingredients so if they put it in their mouth it isn't the end of the world. A little bit of a too much salt fix but worse things get eaten.

I have two super easy no-cook recipes. This means the children can help make it.

Koolaid Playdough

Stir together 3 cups white flour, 1/2 cup salt & 2 packages of koolaid
Add 2 cups boiling water & 3 tablespoons oil
Mix well and knead until smooth

This one is also easy and very small:

1/4 cup salt & 1/4 cup cold water and 2/3 cup flour, then once it is all mixed stir in a food colour and mix & knead again.