The beginning and end of color

We decided to skip color today and have some fun with black and white.  I was originally going to set up a painting invitation so they could have fun mixing.  However, paints have been short-lived lately, especially for my 17M old.  

Homemade Playdough

1 c. flour

1/2 cup salt

1 T. cooking oil

1 T. cream of tartar

1 c. water

Food coloring of your choice

Add-ins of your choice (i.e. spices, extracts, glitter, etc.)

Mix dry ingredients.  Add wet ingredients and mix.  Add to a pan (I just used a non-stick deep frying pan) and cook over medium-low heat.  Stir constantly until dough forms into a ball and isn't wet anymore.  This took maybe 2 minutes??  It may sound like a pain in the butt but it was super easy.  Take dough out after you have your ball (it will obviously be a little warm) and knead for a minute or two.  Greatest homemade playdough ever!  

I made a ball of black and a ball of white.  You can see how much you get from the recipe in the pictures below.  More than enough for both my daughters.   

The invitation

White materials (displayed on top of a piece of black construction paper): white playdough, bottle caps, lima beans, buttons, googly eyes, and feathers. 

Black materials: black playdough, pipe cleaners (also had these in white), buttons, feathers, and stones.
I just used what I had on hand around the house.  I also set up a few "props" to hopefully inspire them. 

My oldest was up from her nap first.  She explored everything for a good minute or two before she actually touched anything.  

She went for the white playdough.  "I need to roll this out, Mommy"

Adding white buttons to white playdough.  

It was interesting she never mixed any of the colors together until my youngest woke up and of course wanted to make a penguin (her favorite animal).  

Making "paw prints"

Again, placing white feathers on white playdough and black feathers on black playdough.  

She also associated the black playdough as being cold.  "The black one is the coldest, so the penguin lives there"

17M old up from her nap.  She loves pushing her finger and objects into the dough.  :-) 

Working together

My oldest is a helper by nature.  It is extremely difficult to stop her from doing everything for my youngest.  I do usually step in and prevent this from happening.  However, today they were not having the greatest day together... so I let them have this moment.  

Making penguins.  This is when she decided to mix black with white.  

Ever since Christmas, every animal she makes has to have 3 buttons like a snowman.  LOL!  

RL