Certain recipes are important to keep around the house so families are always prepared for unexpected bad weather or visitors. For more easy, fun activities, see the author’s book “Learning Through the Seasons” at museums and bookstores, and online at grandparentsteachtoo.org. Teachers and administrators working with Spanish-speaking children and families are invited to write for a free Spanish version at grandparentsteach@gmail.com.

No-cook Play-Doh

Mix 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup water, 3 drops food coloring and 5 drops liquid detergent. Add liquid mixture to dry mixture slowly, and knead until desired consistency. Do not put any in your mouth. Keep refrigerated in a tight plastic container. It lasts for about a month.

Clay dough

This dough can be used to make small sculptures, garden stones, vases for dry flowers and paperweights. Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan. Heat mixture until the salt is completely dissolved, then remove from heat. Mix 1 cup cornstarch and ½ cup cold water in a separate bowl. Stir quickly into the salt water and mix well. Add food coloring to the water mixture, if desired. The dough will be stiff and must be used immediately.

Coat any container or pie plate with Vaseline or cooking spray for use as a mold. Press the dough into the mold. Add old jewelry or fake gemstones into the mold first. Then add the dough. After thorough drying gently remove from the mold.

Allow items to dry 3-4 days. Dried sculptures can be painted. Look for animal, people and car pictures to help children use their imagination.

Bumpy-textured clay

Use this dough for doorstops, stepping stones and flower pots. They will crack if left out over the winter. Mix 1 ½ cup flour and ½ cup salt. Add 6 tablespoons water. Knead to create the clay. This clay must be used immediately. The dried clay may be painted and spayed with polyurethane (adults only).

Never-fail Play-Doh

This is a popular readers’ repeat. Mix 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, and 1 tablespoon cream of tartar. Add 1 tablespoon cooking oil with 1 cup water colored with food coloring. Cook in a 3 qt. saucepan over medium heat until mixture sticks together. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Knead. Store in plastic bags.

How does this help children?

Children who are read to twice a day and played with often, enter school with 20,000 words instead of a 3,000-word vocabulary.

Esther Macalady is a former teacher, who lives in Golden, and participates in the Grandparents Teach Too writing group.