I friend shared this recipe with me and I thought it would be a lot of fun on a cold snow day like this.  It is gingerbread because of the color and smell, but it is not to be eaten.  Since the ingredients are all food, it is safe if the kids sample it.  I can guarantee it will not taste as good as it smells though.

Gingerbread Playdough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1/2 cup boiling water
1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and knead* until smooth.

*knead – to massage, shape and press with your hands as you do with dough or clay.

Tips

• If you are working with older kids, you can have them help make it.
• If you are working with younger kids (6 and under), I recommend you make the playdough ahead of time and just bring it out for them to play with.
• Lay wax paper on the table to protect the surface where they play with it.
• Bring out playdough tools and/or kid-safe kitchen tools (cookie cutters, plastic knives, etc.)