Chocolate “Dirt” Playdough Recipe & Zoo Activity

As our zoo study continues, I thought it would be fun to make dirt colored play dough to play with our zoo animals…and it WAS!

We re-purposed our zoo animals and “grass” from our sensory bin, and used the “dirt” play dough recipe from Heidi’s Recipes.

Chocolate “Dirt” Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour (plus more for kneading)
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 3 cups water
• 3 tablespoons oil

Directions:

1. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and cream of tartar in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan.
2. Add water and oil.
3. Stir constantly over medium heat. The mixture will be soupy for several minutes and then suddenly it will stick together and can be stirred into a ball.
4. When mixture thickens and forms a rough ball, remove from the heat and continue stirring.
5. Turn the hot ball of dough onto a floured surface, and begin kneading as it cools. Add extra flour if mixture is too sticky. Continue kneading until flour is incorporated and dough is no longer sticky.
   After play, store at room temperature in a large zip-lock bag or other air tight container.

“Boo”‘s Zoo

“Dee” really enjoyed this activity. She could have played for hours!

Another great fine motor skill activity for toddlers

“Curly-Top”‘s Zoo – Creative, the way the lion is making a smiley face with his paw

Lefty made a “food chain”