Natural Rose Pigment Playdough

Ooh La La! You have been lucky enough to receive a dozen red roses from your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

After nearly a week of admiring your bouquet you begin to see them slowly wilt.
Don't let that dampen your mood. Perk up by making a some rose pigmented play dough your children will enjoy for weeks to come!

• Begin by removing the petals from the stems. Ours came out easily by pulling from the top. 
• Roughly tears the petals so the pigment will be released more easily. 
• Our petals measured about 2 cups when packed down. 

• We stuffed them into a wide mouth quart mason jar but any heat proof container will do. 
• We boiled 3 cups of water (next time we would only add about 2-1/2 cups) and poured over the petals. We placed the cap on and left it on the counter until it was room temperature. 

• Then we placed a fine mesh colander over a large bowl and poured the rose petal, water mixture in. 

• Squeeze the rose petals to remove any excess water. 
• Use this pigmented water to make your play dough. 

Play dough instructions:
Add 2 cups of pigmented water to a saucepan.
Add 2 Tablespoons of oil.
Heat over medium-low on a stove top.

In a bowl mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 teaspoon cream of tartar.
Slowly add dry mix to warm water mixture.
Stir continually until dough begins pulling away from the sides of the pan.

Remove from pan. Let cool on counter and enjoy!

Red rose pigment makes a delicate mauve colored play dough.
It didn't smell like roses though (bummer).

The toddlers we shared the play dough with must have appreciated its delicate color as they used very delicate fine motor pinching the manipulate the dough.