I am a firm believer that being creative through art/music, etc.  actually strengthens our brains  and our cognitive functions.

So why did I let it slide? 

I’m not sure, but I think the mess of it all could have something to do with it, combined with all our extra curricular activities starting.  Poor excuses I know, but I am sure I am not alone; we all go through times where we just don’t feel like we can handle any more mess than necessary on a given day.

Today, I got back into the creative groove and we made our own colourful play dough!  The kids were so excited, even my older kids enjoy sculpting with play dough!

Ever since I made the time to make a couple batches  of play dough…all my kids have been happier and more productive.  Not because it is magical dough, but because we got back in the creative groove!

Don’t be afraid of the mess and let your creative juices go!  I have to admit I also enjoyed making something other than meals.

Baked Play Dough Recipe

Set out all your ingredients.

1 Cup of Flour

1/2 Cup Salt

2 tsp Cream of Tartar

1 Cup of Water

1 tsp cooking oil

food colouring

• In a sauce pan combine Flour, Salt and Cream of Tartar.  Add Water (I usually add my food colouring to water so it mixes evenly into dough) and Oil (I sometimes add a bit more than a tsp…just experiment).

• Cook over medium heat for approx. 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it starts to pull away from sides of pot.

• Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute.  Transfer over to a work surface and knead until smooth.

• Store in an air tight container.

Stir until it pulls from sides.

Finished product!

Our Colourful Home Made Play Dough!

Have Fun!

All our play dough tools…and some creative mess!

What creative projects do you have on the go right now?

Homeschooling with Games

“Break Free in Your Homeschool”  has made me think of so many mini posts!

This one is about:

Games

How often do you use games during your home school week?

We used to play a lot of games and for some reason these past few months,  games have been an after thought or even pushed right aside.

Children love to play and they also need to play!

Playing  provides so much opportunity to lock in knowledge or learn something in a different way and often without realizing just how much they are learning.

Playing board games, as one instance,  can offer so much to your home school and it engages both hemispheres of the brain.

Let’s not forget that they are fun and a great way to break free from the same old routine!

Brain Hemisphere Processing:

I’d also like to add that both hemispheres of the brain will be engaged when the task is more complex, so don’t forget to play games that challenge everyone a little too!

Now when you think of games as not learning, or as a waste of  “school time” reference this chart with your game closet…take a look at all the ways your brain is stimulated and challenged!  Games are a great way to spend some home school time.

Games to Enhance Your Homeschool

*This list contains affiliate links to games we love to play in our home

Schedule games into your day and have some fun!

What game are you going to pull out this week?

   Share with us in my Comment box below!