During the Gingerbread Man unit, we open a bakery where the children buy and sell bake goods they have made.  I use an old recipe from my childhood that my mother used to make bread dough ornaments.  It is really like a clay.  It is great fun and the children feel such ownership of the center!

Here's how.
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Bread Dough Recipe

1 cup of flour
1/4 cup of salt
1/3 to 1/2 cup of hot tap water

Mix all the ingredients together in bowl.  Knead until smooth.  Add more flour if dough sticks to your fingers.  It should be smooth not too sticky.  This recipe will be enough for 3 to 5 children depending on how many things you would like them to make!

Bake for one hour in a 300 degree oven.  Let cool.

Special Paint Frosting Recipe
Acrylic paint (cheap variety in squeeze bottles)
Glue

Mix one part paint to one part glue.  Stir.  Use cheap paintbrushes like those found in watercolor boxes.

Special Sprinkles
Small seed beads
Different kinds of glitter
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housekeeping center

housekeeping center

Some stores carry special edition glitters and sprinkles for art during the holidays.  Shhh – don't tell – they sell for 75% off after the holidays – and I stock up!

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Paint frosting on baked bread dough.

Sprinkle goodies with glitters and such.  To preserve your baked goods for years of play – spray with clear acrylic sealer.   My family has bread dough ornaments that have lasted decades!  This recipe is great for making your own vegetables, fruit, pie . . . . for housekeeping play.  It has so much more warmth than plastic or wooden pretend food items – especially if the children help make them.