Children of all ages love to play with clay or dough and your niece or nephew are unlikely to be the exception to the rule.

Young children start using clay or dough and manipulate it into basic forms like flat pancakes, snakes and lots and lots of round balls. They also will explore stacking and piling these objects onto one another. Even adults who are first being exposed to manipulating dough may revert to these same basic behaviors. After children become more adept at making these basic shapes, they can explore making objects that interest them, from a person to a dog to their computer. Sculptural work expands children’s fine and gross motor skills. Rolling out the dough, banging on it, shaping it, and even writing on it or marking it with a dull pencil helps accomplish these goals.

You can always buy ready-made clay or store bought Playdough, but a great activity is making it from scratch.

A basic recipe is as follows:

¼ cup oil
1 cup water
3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups salt
Food coloring if desired

Use a large mixing bowl and mix all of the ingredients together (except the food coloring), first with a large spoon and then with your hands. If desired, add a few drops of color to the finished mixture and knead it into the dough. I find the food coloring is so messy on your hands that it’s hardly worth it. For older children (ones who are no longer likely to try to eat the dough), you can mix in some glitter, or perhaps coffee grounds or oatmeal. This will vary the texture and consistency of the dough. If the dough is too moist, add a little flour. If the consistency is too tough, add a little more oil to keep it soft. Always store the dough in a plastic bag or storage container. This dough should last for a few days and sometimes up to a week. You can always throw it out and make more the next time your niece or nephew comes over to visit.  There are some recipes that call for cream of tartar. I find that it is a very expensive product to use, though cream of tartar makes the dough a little stronger, and it will last a little longer. But these projects should be for fun, and if you want longer lasting materials, rely on the store bought dough.