Pantry Cooking Saturday: Homemade Bubbles & Play-Doh!

Posted By: Jamie

For today’s Pantry Cooking Saturday, I thought we’d get our hands dirty and make something totally different with pantry ingredients.  It’s Spring Break in my town, and I will inevitably be plagued all week long by the refrain, “I’m BO-ORED!”  Here are a couple of tried and true distractions that will entertain not only in the playing, but in the making.  And you know, they’re cheap.

Homemade Bubbles (2 Ways)

• 2 1/2 quarts water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup clear liquid dish soap(not soap for an automatic dishwasher)
• Food coloring (optional)

OR

• 1/2 cup Dishwashing soap
• 4 1/2 Cup Water
• 4 Tablespoons glycerin (available at pharmacies)

Mix together GENTLY , and if a foam forms over the top, gently scrape it off.  Poor into a large, shallow dish.  Things you can use for bubble blowers are all over your house- try these on for size:  Colander, Slotted Spoons/Spatulas, mouths of glass gars, hula hoops, etc..

Homemade Playdough (2 Ways)

**Quick Tidbit!  Play Doh was originally manufactured in Cincinatti to be a wallpaper cleaner in the years after WWII!  Resourceful school teachers were the first to turn it into an art supply- and the rest is history!!  Although it is not particularly expensive, it is much cheaper to mix some up at home- here’s how:

(Super Simple)

• 1 cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Salt
• 1/2 Cup Water
• Food Coloring?

Mix and knead until it forms a ball- Add flour utnil it is the consistency you like.  Add food coloring last!

(Better Recipe)

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tarter
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring/ kool aid packet

Mix all ingredients (add food coloring last). Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan, let cool slightly, and knead until blended and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.

Do you have any good recipes for homemade boredom busters?  You know I’m pretty desperate right now – and I bet other moms out there are too – so please share with us in the comment section!