This homemade playdough recipe is the best recipe that I’ve tried. You don’t need to cook it, which means that your toddlers and preschoolers can get in there and help you make it. It’s soft and it lasts for soooo long. I kept my last batch in an airtight container and it was still usable after an entire year.
I also love adding different materials to the playdough. For example, you can mix in some essential oils to make it smell nice. Or add in a touch of glitter for an added visual component. Doing this can help make your playdough great for sensory play, as well as a fantastic fine motor one.
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More Playdough Activities for Kids
You can use this easy playdough recipe as the base for an infinite number of playdough invitation to play activities. You don’t have to only use classic cookie cutters and playdough tools. The next time that you decide to make your own playdough, try a great idea like those listed below. Young children will have so much fun with these fun projects.
- Alphabet Playdough Activity
- Frog Pond Playdough
- Ocean Playdough Invitation to Play
- Farm Play Dough Activity
- All About Me Playdough Activity
Materials Needed
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 1 cup of water – freshly boiled in the kettle
- 1/2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- Food coloring
- Large bowl
- Spoon
How to make the best playdough recipe ever
Step 1. Mix all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl
I let my kids do this part themselves. Scooping and pouring the main ingredients is a wonderful way to incorporate a bit of math and fine motor skills while they make their own play dough.
2. Add in your hot water and vegetable oil.
I pour in boiling water from the kettle for this part. Using hot water helps the salt to dissolve a little bit and makes the playdough more smooth.
If you really want smooth, soft playdough. Cook it in a pot over a medium heat instead. Of course you won’t want little hands to help you so close to the stove, but if you’re a preschool teacher and don’t want the entire class involved. You may prefer to do this at home by yourself.
3. Knead until all of the dough has formed a smooth consistency.
Mix the dough with a spoon until small balls form. Then pour it out of the bowl, onto the counter and knead it until it becomes a smooth consistency.
If your playdough is too moist then you can always add in a bit of extra flour. If it’s too dry then try adding in a bit of water. It’s so easy to adjust this recipe, that you really can’t fail.
4. Add in your food coloring.
I like to add in the food colouring after the dough has formed, for two reasons.
- Sometimes I like to split the same batch in half and make two different colors of playdough.
- I like having a lot of control over the color of my playdough.
By adding the gel food coloring in later, I can always add more and change the color however I want.
However, if this is just one step too many for you. You can also choose to add in the food coloring along with the water and oil. That way you only need to knead the dough once.
5. Knead until all of the dough has absorbed the new color.
When you’re finished making your no cook playdough recipe, store it in an air-tight container. This prevents the finished playdough from drying out and makes it last for longer. You can also choose to wrap it in plastic wrap before storing. This is a great way to make sure your recipe really lasts for a long time.
Are you going to try this Homemade Playdough Recipe with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
