How to make playdough

Let me show you how to make playdough. It is a great kid’s activity!  It is easy enough for kids to help with, only takes about 10-15 minutes, and gives you comparable results to store bought playdough.

How to make playdough

You probably have all the necessary materials on hand in your pantry. No need for store bought playdough anymore! You are going to love this playdough recipe! It is soft and smooth just like the real thing.

Homemade Playdough Recipe

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring

How to make homemade playdough step by step

When in this process you allow your kids to assist is entirely up to you.  Younger children can mix dry ingredients, older kids can stir (supervised) at the stove top, and adding food coloring is fun for everyone.  My son is under two, so he mainly helps me with the “playing” part.  Please supervise your children and use caution with the stove and hot dough. If you are concerned about the stove and hot dough, keep reading I have a no-cook recipe at the bottom. Either way you will know how to make playdough and it will be oh so soft and silky!

1. Combine all ingredients (except food coloring) in a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Stir over medium heat until smooth.
3. Stir continuously until the dough balls (about 1-2 minutes).  Remove from heat.

1. When the dough is cool enough to handle, knead until smooth.
2. Form into a ball.
3. Divide into as many colors as you’d like to make.  A single batch makes a good amount for four colors.

1. Add food coloring to the divided dough.  Gel food coloring works quite well.  I have not tried liquid food coloring.
2. Knead the food coloring into the dough. To protect your countertop, knead over wax paper.  To protect your hands, wear plastic or rubber gloves if you have them (you could also put the dough and food coloring inside a ziplock bag and have the kids squish it around inside).
3. When the dough is a consistent color, ball and set aside.

1. Repeat with the rest of your colors.
2. Put the dough in separate containers.  Toddler-sized snack containers are a good size, and I have also wrapped the colors individually in wax paper and stored in zip-lock bags.
3. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.  It will stay soft for several weeks if stored airtight. The playdough can be stored at room temperature.

Hmm … I feel like I’m forgetting the most important step.  Oh, that’s right – PLAY! Now you know how to make playdough at home!

For more creative goodness visit Homemade By Jill!  

How to make playdough without cooking

You might ask how to make playdough without cooking. Yes, it is possible! Try:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup salt
• 1 Tablespoon oil
• food coloring

Mix the wet ingredients together and mix the dry ingredients together. Slowing add the wet ingredients to the dry until you have the correct consistency.  This is a super quick and easy playdough recipe! Notice this recipe has no cream of tartar. Yes, you can make playdough without cream of tartar. Cream of tartar is an acid and is used in cooking as a stabilizing agent for items like meringues and whipped cream. While it does help with the consistency…. I bet you won’t miss it. 

Alum versus Cream of Tartar in Playdough

While they aren’t the same thing they can be interchanged in your playdough recipe since they both help with texture and consistency.

Now that you know how to make playdough give these other squishy recipes a try? Try these fun ideas

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