We’re in the twilight zone of two days before the HUGE Christmas festivities begin, and I’m trying to think of simple, LOW-COST things to do to keep our kids occupied.

Rescued by Homemade Playdough.

I haven’t made any in years, but it’s much more fun for the kids to play with than the store-bought kind. Plus they really enjoyed being able to add the ingredients themselves and pick out their own color.

We made four batches, and it took about 20 minutes altogether. A science lesson was even tossed in when one batch was too squishy and we realized we’d forgotten the SALT.

You probably already have all these ingredients on hand — except for the Cream of Tartar. You can find it in the grocery store spice section under the C’s. I paid about $3.50 for a small container, and it will make at least a dozen batches of playdough.

Here’s what you need:

1 cup flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
Few drops of food coloring
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon oil

Mix in a pot on the stove. Cook on medium heat, stirring until thickened (takes only a few minutes and looks gooey. Don’t let it boil or you’ll need to add more water). While still warm, knead a little. Keep in a covered container when not in use.

Give kids some cookie cutters, a spare rolling pin, and some little plastic animals and people — then go prop up your feet and read Christmas cards. They’ll be entertained — quite cheaply — for hours.

This recipe compliments of A Taste of Georgia II cookbook, p. 279.

[Note to self: Add salt to grocery list.]