# Make Your Own Model Magic Play Food
> Kids mold their own bakery play food, like cookies and cupcakes, from Model Magic, decorate it with Dazzlers and glitter, and let it air-dry to keep for pretend kitchen play.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/make-your-own-play-food/
- Ages: 3–6 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep 5 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: fine-motor, pretend-play, creativity
- Cautions: ingestion-risk

## Materials (one batch)
- Model Magic modeling compound (assorted colors)
- Modeling tools and press
- Dazzlers (optional)
- Glitter (optional)

## Safety
- The finished pieces look like real treats but are not food. Remind kids not to bite or lick them, and keep them away from toddlers who mouth things.
- Glitter and small decorations can be a hazard for little ones. Supervise closely and wash hands after.

## Steps
1. Open the Model Magic packs and set out the tools.
2. Let your child be the boss and decide what to make: cookies, cupcakes and everything.
3. Use the press to mold Model Magic into cookie shapes.
4. Decorate the cookies with Dazzlers and glitter to make them look 'beautifuller'.
5. Shape cupcakes and add frosting swirls and toppings in different colors.
6. Leave everything to air-dry so the pieces hold their shape.
7. Once dry, bring the treats to the play kitchen for a bakery, tea-time or party.

## Tips
- Let your child lead. Big S made it very clear she was gonna be the boss of the project, and I let her do just that.
- I try to do this with Big S while the baby is napping. It gives us real one-on-one time, and we both love that.
- Waiting for them to air-dry is really the hardest part. Be ready for lots of 'Is it dry yet?'
- Model Magic is a little expensive, but a 50% off coupon got me a tub full of fun for $10.
- Homemade play food has a personal touch, and you don't have to buy new store pieces to pick up and clean up.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2012)

How many batches of play dough , cloud dough and all the doughs have we made? I know it's endless hours of fun but lot of times store bought doughs are just as fun. Its time to switch things up a bit. I am making an investment, it is gonna be Model Magic. It’s a little expensive, I agree, a 50 % off regular price coupon did it for me! $10 got me tub full of fun! literally! Big S and Lil’ S love their kitchen and can play for hours cooking, tea-time and restaurant. A recent visit to a bakery, got Big S all excited. We wanted to pre-order cupcakes for her birthday and all the pretty cakes caught her attention. Now we are in the bakery business! Jokes apart, she loves to bake with me and we have lots of fun in doing so. She loves to mix colors and make surprise cakes for dad. Her words “Let's do a party today mommy” ! With her kitchen, we have play food, lots of them but it lacks a personal touch and really shes tired of it. I was not going to buy new pieces of playf ood for me to pick up and clean up! Well that’s where our Model Magic made its debut. The set came with its set of tools and we got busy crafting! I usually try to work with Big S when the baby is napping which gives me a real one on one time with her and we both love that. It]s our special time together. Big S : Mom I want to make cupcakes and cookies and everything. Me : Sure. How can I help? Big S : Open the packs and wait till I say what to do next! She made it very clear that shes gonna be the boss and she is gonna lead the project . And I let her do just that.

Those tiny hands worked the press to mold and she loved every bit of it. She loves to use the Dazzlers and glitters to make them look "beautifuller" ! hahah ! I Loved that word, she still says that. Before you knew, we had some delicious cookies and they looked pretty amazing!  Big S : Its time to make the cupcakes mom. Lets make them , come on!  Once we were done, we need to let them air-dry for them to hold their shape and that really is the hardest thing to do ! I couldn't take one more of "Is it dry yet ?" Working with model magic was fun. **[Check out Turkey Mom's Play Doh cakes](https://www.funlittles.com/cake-mania-with-play-doh/)**