Playing on the cheap

It was a time of financial instability the likes of which this country has never seen. Analysts jumping from the rooftops, dogs running barefoot through the streets. That's right, it was…the late 80's. And if your mom was like mine she wasn't letting you play with a Flutter Pony when you had to stay inside due to all the raining analysts. No, instead, she was making you Homemade Playdough.

Yep, she would cook you your own playdough. A little more grainy and loose-feeling than the real stuff, but still cheap and useful as an emergency food-source if necessary.

Homemade Playdough like mom used to make

• Mix together 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup of water, two teaspoons cream of tarter, and a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Make sure your kid can't see you so he'll think he's getting the real thing.

• Cook over low heat until it becomes dough-y. About three minutes

• Add food coloring. This is the only way that the homemade stuff is better- make weird-ass colors. Like awesome puky brownish green. Gross out your richer friends.

Incidentally, another cheap kid food fun thing? Cornstarch baths. Man, I used to love those things. I think I was that kid.