Just when you thought I had enough Pumpkin Spice!
I had to scramble to come up with something for 16 preschoolers for their Halloween party at school. Alexander refuses to walk in to the party store with me anymore. (It's a bit gory there this time of year.) And since we were stuck together this week my options were limited. And I don't do chachkis. And I didn't want something that would get tossed immediately. Nor did I want to spend a fortune. I have three class parties after all. So I remembered the Play Doh I made last year for Valentine's Day and how it was such a success. So that was my plan. Orange Play Doh with Halloween shaped cookie cutters.
So this morning, in the pouring rain, I dragged Alexander (kicking and screaming) to A.C Moore. I bribed him. Told him I would get him something. Something turned in to many things, but this kept him well behaved!
There I went looking for cellophane bags in which to put my Play Doh. I also found some pretty ribbon and cookie cutters on sale. Everything else I had at home. For those of you doing some last minute Halloween craft shopping AC Moore is running a 60% off sale on all things Halloween, including Martha Stewart's items. Worth a look-see for sure!
So we went home and Alexander passed out. (Yay!) I got to cooking the Play Doh and adding the orange. And that's when I got the craziest idea. I don't love the smell of the home made stuff. Not that it's bad, but I thought... what if... What if I added just a dash of Pumpkin Pie Seasonings? And so I did! And you can smell it ever so slightly! Next time I am adding more!
I prepared enough dough for 16 four year olds, placed the dough and the cookie cutters in the cellophane bags, printed out directions that I pasted on to index cards and tied them with white and orange ribbon. What a nice home made Halloween treat!
Recipe for Play Doh (I doubled this for 16 children)
2 cups of flour
2 cups of water
4 teaspoons of cream of tartar
2 teaspoons of oil
1 cup of salt
A few drops of food coloring (optional)
A shake or two of sparkles (optional)
Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice (optional)
Cook over low heat until the dough becomes firmer.Remove from pan and knead away!
(The dough will stick to the pan but after a short soak the flour mixture will wash right off!)