Oatmeal Art Dough

Recently, I was given a class assignment to make homemade art dough. I researched books and the internet, looking for a recipe that was simple and appropriate for young children to make on their own or with a little adult help.

There are recipes using paper, sawdust and even applesauce. I decided to use a recipe incorporating flour, oatmeal and water. The measurements did not quite work out for me, so my son and I experimented and made several batches and finally came up with the perfect oatmeal art dough recipe.

*Combine 1 cup of oatmeal (try oatmeal with cinnamon in the mix-it will smell great!) with 3/4 cup of flour in a large bowl. Pour in 1/2 cup of water. Use your hands to combine the ingredients. I have found that the heat of your hands helps the ingredients blend better than by using a spoon. Next, play with different colors and scents. Use food coloring to make the dough as light or as dark as you want. For a nice scent use dry herbs or spices. I suggest peppermint or cinnamon.

This recipe makes a very good sized batch. To store, keep the dough in an airtight container and it will keep for at least a month. I highly recommend try this out with your children. My 5-year-old has throughly enjoyed making this dough several times. And the best part is that it doesn't crumble apart and stick to carpet the way store bought dough does.