Learn how to make unique DIY play dough with only three ingredients – this version glows in the dark and is so inexpensive to make! Kids will love it.
Skills Required: None. Kids of any age without crafting experience can make this. It’s a very simple recipe.
Once the dreary days of January and February hit, I’m always looking for fun and easy indoor activities for kids. I’ve seen DIY play dough around Pinterest, and thought it would be fun to try my hand at making a glow-in-the-dark version!
This isn’t just for winter of course; it also makes a great summer craft for kids, Halloween craft for kids, or winter activity for preschoolers. And glows SO brightly when the sun charges it, no matter what time of year!
Homemade Play Dough
The base play dough recipe only requires two ingredients – conditioner and corn starch. If you want to make the recipe, it’s simply 2:1 corn starch to conditioner. You can add food coloring to make it any color you like.
To kick it up a notch, I decided to take the standard recipe and make it glow. To do that, you only have to add one more ingredient: glow in the dark paint!
I’m still impressed that this homemade play dough only requires three ingredients and is virtually mess free! Woohoo! This is a craft idea that is going into the regular rotation for us.
If you are a mom to small kiddos, you won’t want to pass up this fun and easy play dough recipe. Hopefully it will relieve the winter blues for an afternoon!
Glow in the Dark Play Dough
Gather These Supplies
- 1 cup conditioner
- 2 cups corn starch
- 1 2-oz. bottle glow in the dark paint (non-toxic)
Mix the conditioner and corn starch together in a bowl. We used coconut conditioner from the Dollar Store and it made our play dough smell extra yummy.
Just get the cheap-y stuff, there is no need for anything high quality. If the dough seems too sticky, add more corn starch.
Next, dump in your bottle of glow in the dark paint and mix until it’s fully incorporated.
Once the dough forms a nice ball, you will want to charge it near a light bulb, flashlight, or sun if it’s available. This will make it extra “glowy” when it’s time to play with it in the dark.
Have fun! If the glow starts to fade, just hold it up to a light for a few minutes to charge and keep playing. You are allowed to play with your DIY play dough with the lights on, too!
DIY Play Dough
Learn how to make this simple homemade play dough recipe with two ingredients! Add a fun twist with some glow in the dark paint.
Materials
- 1 cup conditioner
- 2 cups corn starch
- 1 2-oz.l bottle Glow In The Dark Paint (non-toxic)
Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula
Instructions
- Mix the conditioner and corn starch together in a bowl. If the dough seems sticky, add a bit more corn starch.
- Add the bottle of glow in the dark paint and mix with a spatula until fully incorporated.
- Once the dough forms a ball, start mixing with your hands.
- When you want the dough to glow, "charge" it near a light bulb or in the sunlight.
- This dough can be reused time and time again! Store in an airtight, sealed container in a cool area between uses.
Notes
The conditioner you choose can influence the scent of your play dough!
Hop on over to my blog, Homemade Ginger, to get more great ideas just like this one!
Let me know what you think of this homemade play dough in the comments. I’d also love for you to check out the following simple activities for kids here on the blog:
Bonnie Harris
Monday 6th of March 2017
Could you pleases here you bought glow in the dark paint. I sure want to try this
Amy
Monday 6th of March 2017
The brand purchased is here: http://amzn.to/2myAd5o. Buy online or in a craft store!
S. Ward
Friday 15th of January 2016
Thank YOU for the recipe
Paige
Thursday 14th of January 2016
This playdough looks so fun! My son would absolutely love playing with this!
Paige https://www.thehappyflammily.com/