Fun with play dough

Do your children or grandchildren know how special they are? Here’s an idea to help them understand…

1. First, mix up a batch of homemade play-dough. (see recipe below)

2. Second, play together! And somewhere along the way…

3. Share spiritual truth with your child.

Nervous about what to say? Try this…

Isn’t it fun to make things out of play-dough? I love your creations! Do you like what I made? Can you imagine trying to make a real person? That would be a really difficult thing to do, wouldn’t it? But, did you know that God made you?

The Bible says that you are God’s workmanship! He made you. (Ephesians 2:10)

The Bible also says that God knit you together in your mother’s womb, and that his work is wonderful! That means you are wonderful! (Psalm 139:13-14)

Think how proud you are of the thing you made out of the play-dough. It is your CREATION. Because it is your creation, it is special to you. Not only do I love to create things out of play-dough, but I also I love to paint pottery or do a craft project (or insert something else you like to create). Whatever I make, it holds a special place in my heart.

Now, amplify and multiply that feeling by a bazillion! That is how THE MAKER, GOD, feels about you! He loves and values YOU, his special creation.

(Extension for older children…)

Not only did God create us, but he made us in his image. (Genesis 2:26)

You might wonder what an image is. It means “likeness.” Now, I don’t know about you, but I would rather have a REAL ice cream cone or a REAL dog, not one made out of play dough.

Although those are good examples of images, they still don’t exactly explain what it means to be in God’s image. Being created in God’s image means that we are like him.

But how are we like him? One way is in our intelligence. We can invent things, solve math problems, use logic, make decisions, and create art (like we are doing together). Another way is that we are relational beings, capable of friendships and sharing emotions with one another. (Isn’t it fun to play together?) A final way that we are like God is that we know the difference between right and wrong.

All of these qualities are ways that we reflect the image of God, and are reasons that we are valuable and special.

I’m so glad I get to be your parent/grandparent! God made you just the way he wanted to. You are his workmanship. You are special!

Play Dough Recipe from Kim Conkle (Elementary School Teacher)

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 T. cooking oil
• ½ cup salt
• 1 tsp. Cream of Tartar
• Food coloring of choice

Mix all ingredients in a pan and cook over medium heat until mixture pulls away from the pan and becomes play dough consistency. Stir constantly. Cool slightly. Then knead. Store in an air tight container or baggie. No need to refrigerate. Have fun!