Making play dough on a cold or rainy day can be just the project to keep you busy. It's also a fun way to spend time with your siblings and friends.

DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM

Makes 2 cups of dough

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 package unsweetened powdered soft drink mix, any flavor or color, or several drops of food coloring

2 cups water

½ cup oil

• In large saucepan, combine the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and powdered soft drink mix or food coloring.

• Add the water and oil.

• Heat on stovetop at medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring frequently.

• As the mixture gets hot, it will turn into a thick dough.

• When this happens, remove the pan from the stovetop.

• Let the dough cool before you dump it out and play with it.

Store dough properly

This play dough may seem softer to you than the kind you buy at the store. It is so easy to squeeze and squish, but it might be a little more difficult to mold. If you store your dough properly in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, it should last for a long time.