There are few projects as satisfying to a five-year old (okay, or even a 35 year-old) as making playdough. It's fast, simple, and rewarding beyond the skills needed to make it happen.
I shared my playdough recipe once before, but I've rewritten it for you now, with photos of the process. Those help, since playdough goes through a "that-can't-be-right" stage just before it's done.
A note on wheat: though we do not eat gluten, no one in my home is celiac so this recipe is based on wheat flour. I'm working on a gluten-free version that I'll be sure to share when it's ready.
Homemade Play Dough
1 C white flour (I have used whole grain with good results as well)
1/4 C salt
2 T cream of tartar
1 C water
2 tsp food coloring (optional)
1 Tb oil
A few drops of essential oils of your choice.I am partial to Cranky Pants EO Blend, but use whatever you love.
Combine dry ingredients in a medium cooking pot.
Add wet ingredients (except essential oils) and stir.
Cook
over medium heat stirring constantly. It will go through the following stages:
Wet soupy flour mixture;
still moist but becoming gooey and starting to stick to the pan;
very awkward to stir and rather chunky;
and then suddenly – voila! – a fairly smooth ball of dough in your pot.
Once the dough forms a ball in the center of the pot, turn
out onto a lightly floured surface. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then knead until smooth. Make a dent with your finger to add optional essential oils. Knead in completely.
For colored dough, divide as desired. Flatten each ball and make a fingerprint in the center. (But don't go all the way through!)
Add a drop or two of food coloring to each, then fold into a little calzone and carefully knead and fold to work the color into the dough. (This job is best for adults or older kids, and you might want to wear gloves if you are worried about a touch of coloring on your hands.)
We've had success with both grocery-store food coloring and the natural food coloring we use for baking.
Store in the fridge. Discard when it becomes sticky or if it starts to seem off.
Want a PDF of the recipe to can print it out? You bet!
Download HomemadePlaydoughRecipe
Have fun today!
Love,
Rachel
Hi!
Just started reading your blog and everything is relevant for us right now! The “everyone helps out” posts, and now the play dough! I just said to the girls, I need to find a good play dough recipe for us to make…thanks!
How fitting that you would post this today! I use a different recipe (no cook) that I love. I made a batch just this morning for my 3 year old and, I kid you not, she has been sitting at the table playing with it non-stop for over 2 hours now! Such fun!
Sunday I said to my neighbor, “I remember my mom making us homemade play dough… I need to find that recipe.” This one should work! Thanks!
I’m so glad. Welcome to my space!
Perfect timing!
Yes indeed. Better still: my mom gave me the inspiration for this recipe!
Funnily enough I just made playdough this afternoon (your recipe and mine are the same!), with a 3 year old playdough addict in the house we are in serious trouble if we don’t have a good supply! I made mine with a good few drops of lemon tea tree oil as there seem to be some yucky bugs flying around right now. A good way to disinfect little hands!
This looks similar to a recipe that I’ve been using a few years. I’m wondering though, why the suggestion to refrigerate this one? Our batches usually last around six months; I throw it out when it seems overly dry, mostly from being left out.
Michelle, I always assumed that being a biodegradable product it would get funky if I didnt. And sometimes the funk isnt evident. So we keep it in the fridge. If what you are doing works then go with it! 🙂
I have made this recipe with white rice flour, for a gluten free alternative, with great results. (I think it is the same- all the same ingredients anyway, possibly different ratios)
So good to know. I was going to try a combination of potato and rice, but Ill try this first. Thanks Sara!
Have you ever had play dough mold? I did once and it was horrible. It wasn’t in the cabinet for that long… perhaps 2-3 months. I can see why you recommend refrigerating! However, is there an ingredient or another way/recipe to PREVENT molding altogether?
Julie,
You can add essential oil of clove or tea tree (just a drop or two). Both would help. You can balance the smell with a sweeter oil too, like lavender or ylang ylang. And lets hear it for refrigeration!
Rachel
Awesome, love it!
Try it! You prefer no-cook, right? This one is less sticky and more malleable than the no-cooks Ive made.
Great recipe, Rachel, we just made it! Less of a project than I thought, and Josie really, really loves working with it – says it doesn’t make as much mess (crumble less), is pleasant to touch, doesn’t dry out hands (so far), and very malleable. Thanks so much for sharing. We followed it to the T and everything went perfectly.
Wonderful! Im glad you enjoyed it. We made this as a child and I loved it.
Just made some for my 20 month old daughter’s Easter basket and it turned out great. She stood by my side while I made it and I couldn’t stop her from playing with it right away! I mixed in some Cranky Pants and it smells so good!
Im so glad!
I just have one question to ask, do children have to wash their hands immediately after playing with this or can they play with other toys first? Because the ingredients are all edible right.
I know, for normal play doh, they have to wash their hands with soap immediately after playing just in case they put their hands in their mouth and all?
I love that I just found this!! 🙂 I’ve been looking up homemade play dough with oils and although I’m sure young living and those are really great, I have only ever used your oils… Going to go to the coop to buy some more oils today and make some! Can’t wait!