In the next PLAY Live we will be re-creating our clay play sessions that are so popular when we run them at the gallery.

Don’t worry, we’re not expecting you to have clay at home. Instead, we will be suggesting homemade play dough recipes using things you will have in the cupboards.

We will be stretching, squashing, squidging, rolling, pressing, imprinting and more, both with our bodies and the play dough.

As always, this play dough is not essential to the session. If you don’t have time to make play dough before the next session you can use some you may already have or you can participate without any play dough at all.

Today’s play dough recipe is so easy. All you need is:

Flour

Salt (if making for babies/ toddlers you can leave out the salt)

Water

Food colouring

Vegetable/ olive oil

Put 6 heaped table spoons of flour in a mixing bowl.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of salt

Separately, add 4 or 5 drops of food colouring to 100ml of water (add more food colouring if you want a strong colour)

Add one teaspoon of oil to the coloured water

Add the water gradually until all the flour is mixed in and you have a solid play dough consistency.

Add more water if it needs it or if it is too sticky add more flour until it is the right consistency.

Sprinkle flour onto your work surface and knead. Add flour until it stops being too sticky.

Repeat to make different colours.

If you’re not using your play dough straight away then you can put it into separate zip lock bags or in air tight containers.

If you have time, make the play dough with your children before the session. This will make attending the session super exciting for them as they bring along what they have made.

*Do not leave babies or children unattended when making or playing with the play dough and be careful with the surface/ clothing you use to play on as the food colouring may stain.

Baby play dough recipe

We know babies like to put things in their mouths so below is an edible baby safe recipe.

1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal

1/4 cup water

1/4 flour

Directions:

Stir all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until everything is completely mixed together.

*Do not leave babies or children unattended when making or playing with the play dough and be careful with the surface/ clothing you use to play on as the food colouring may stain.

To join the next PLAY Live visit the website or if you have any questions then e.mail lucy.turner@manchester.ac.uk