Materials
apples (several different varieties)
knife (adult use only)
cutting board
napkins or small paper plates
Instructions
Make super-soft playdough before the children arrive.
4 cups water
6 tablespoons oil
4 cups flour
2 cups salt
8 tablespoons cream of tartar
food coloring
Teacher Preparation
1. Combine water and oil in one bowl.
2. Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar in another bowl.
3. Combine the two mixtures in a saucepan and add food coloring.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
5. When the playdough starts to dry out on the bottom, remove it from
the heat. It will be lumpy and will look less solid than you think it should
be this is very important! It will look like pudding.
6. Knead it as best you can on a flat surface until it cools and comes
together to stop being sticky.
7. Store in an airtight container.
Activity
1. Show the children how to pull and roll the playdough to make their
own snakes.
2. Help the children to roll out several playdough "snakes" about 1/2 "
in diameter.
3. Invite the children to explore how to cut the playdough with the childsafe
scissors.
4. Encourage the children to keep their "thumbs up" when they use
scissors.
5. This is an excellent activity for children who are beginning to learn how
to cut using scissors. The playdough doesn't "flip up" like paper does and
it is surprisingly easy for little fingers to do. They can learn the proper
way to hold scissors and begin to strengthen the muscles needed to cut
paper successfully.
