Until 6 weeks ago, Guppy & I were a pretty active pair. Afternoons most often meant going for a walk or a bike ride, maybe exploring in the “Grand Parc” of the castle…but since I have been immobilized, she has also been grounded.
We have become rather adept with the pâte à sel or salt dough thanks to our forced “down-time”, and I must admit, it’s been much fun.
My only real complaint is that I have been without food coloring for a few months so things were very White Christmas, but Guppy didn’t seem to mind.
Here’s our little “Salt Dough” recipe. This stuff will last in the fridge in an air-tight container for about a week or so, depending on how much it gets used. I know you can make longer-lasting stuff, but for that you need cream of tartar, and that is a very special-order item here in France.
Pâte à sel
*by cup I mean a cup, mug, or glass – it’s the ratio of quantities here that matters.
1 cup of salt
1 cup warm water
2 cups flour
Directions : mix. Then play.
Seriously, just mix it up, adding either more flour or more water until it feels right. You can obviously add food coloring to make things more spiffy. I considered adding a few drops of essential oil so it would smell perdy, but since Guppy still does way too much tasting of everything, I opted not to do that. But you could if your kidlet is less apt to still put everything in their mouths.
We’ve had so much fun we’re planning on making some baked salt dough holiday ornaments later today – how Osmond’s Christmas is that? I know! But heck, it was even my idea to do it. I embrace the holiday schmaltz in all its glory, because we’re making memories here people!
Musings From The Fishbowl 
My mom used to make this for me when I was little! It’s so fun to see it again! And now have the recipe for myself!
I used to love playing with homemade play-doh! Problem? I used to sneak pieces into my mouth until I had a bellyache. Perhaps really salty dough would have helped to put me off the flavor ….
I love Mr. Doughboy McSnowman! What a lucky little Guppy, she has such a crafty and fun mom!
my mom used to make this stuff for me when i was a kid all the time! she was also a master at the salt dough ornaments and even sold them for awhile when i was teeny tiny (or maybe before i was born?). they were wonderful! i’m so glad that this tradition lives on, and thanks for the recipe 🙂 also, i missed your last post, but congratulations on being free of the cast! i bet you feel wonderful. be safe wobbling around though! and the dino pj’s RULE! you are the rockinest mom ever, shelly.
I remember making play dough with my kids too….such fun! Happy Holidays!
How cool! Not only a great recipe bit one you can really play with, literally.
oh, I love pate a sel!
I should give it a try again…after 20 years or something (I actually never made it…it was my mom but I would play with it!).
That’s adorable! And it looks like so much fun!
Fun! I wanna make some! Its like play doh, only homemade! Glad to see you’ve lost the cast.
How fun!