Play In Style Ideas

Playing on our soft play mats allows for messy play and different activities. Here are some ideas and recipes that we love. 

Before getting "messy" please be cautious of the following:

* Prepare the recipes before placing them on the mat. 

* Be very careful with food colourants as they can stain the mat, only use 1 - 2 drops. 

* Never leave your baby unsupervised on the play mat.

Play Dough is a brilliant sensory and fine motor tool that is easy to make.

What you will need:

• 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
• Food colouring (use with caution)
• A few drops glycerine (helps with stretch and shine)

Method:

• Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
• Add food colouring to the boiling water then into the dry ingredients
• Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
• Add the glycerine (optional)
• Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone.
• If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right

Then you are ready to play.. Use cooking cutters, stamps and rollers and enjoy endless hours of play. 

What you will need:

• 2 large containers of different sizes
• A variety of plastic toys, bottle lids; anything that floats or sinks is great.
• A large spoon or ladel

Method:

• Fill the smaller container with water, about half way.
• Place the smaller container inside the larger container.
• Place the toys in the smaller container with water
• Scoop the toys out with the ladel from the water to the large container.