Christmas Craft for Kids: Scented Playdough Pomanders

We are big playdough fans at our house. I have a batch or two out for the kids almost every day. To keep them interested and engaged, I like to try new scent and colour combinations. I also love putting a seasonal spin on our standard playdough recipe. This particular playdough is inspired by pomanders--those deliciously clove-studded oranges or lemons that are sometimes used in Christmas decorating.

What you need:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tbsp cooking oil
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup pure lemon or orange extract
yellow or orange food colouring dried cloves

The recipe:
1. Combine 1 cup of flour with 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar in a small to medium sized saucepan.
2. Add 1/2 tbsp of cooking oil, 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of pure lemon or orange extract (available in the spice aisle of grocery stores and at the Bulk Barn in Canada).
3. Add several drops of yellow or orange food coloring.
4. Place pan on the stove over medium heat. Stir frequently until the dough thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
5. Remove from heat and place dough on the counter or a plate. Allow to cool for a minute or two and then knead several times. Note: For a stronger scent, replace some of the water with more lemon or orange extract. If the dough is dry, add a couple of drops of cooking oil before kneading it. I made both a lemon and an orange playdough pomander and set them out on our play table for my son and the two little ones who come to our house for daycare.

The children (all age 3) were intrigued by the cloves and immediately got to work pulling them out and pushing them through the dough. Great fine motor practice for little hands! 

One of the things I like most about playdough is that it is so open-ended. Although I often set up play invitations with a certain theme, I always allow the children to take their time exploring the materials and to play with them however they choose. Thus, our pomander dough and cloves were used to make faces, designs, and even a volcano! 

  While the children played, I explained what real pomanders are. My mother has made orange pomanders every Christmas for as long as I can remember. Even if Christmas pomanders aren't a tradition in your family, I hope you'll be inspired to give this a try with your little ones. It's a real feast for the senses and the perfect low-key activity for your kids to enjoy amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holidays.