Make a fun and safe homemade playdough recipe! Perfect for kids, it’s non-toxic and requires just a few simple ingredients from your kitchen.
Skills Required: None. This is perfect for kids of all ages, from toddlers to elementary age and older. No one needs any prior crafting skills.
If you’re looking for a fun, creative, and easy activity to do with your kids, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re sharing the best homemade playdough recipe that you can whip up using items from your kitchen.
Not only is it incredibly simple, but it’s also a fantastic way to engage your children in hours of imaginative play.
Kids love playdough for so many reasons! The bright colors, the squishy texture, and the endless possibilities for creating shapes and figures make it an all-time favorite. But playdough is more than just fun – it’s also a wonderful tool for developing fine motor skills.
When kids roll and flatten the dough, they make their hand and finger muscles stronger. This helps them with activities like writing and buttoning clothes.
Playing with playdough also encourages creativity and imagination. Kids can create anything they can dream up – from animals and monsters to food and flowers. It’s a fantastic way for them to express themselves and let their creativity run wild.
Another great thing about homemade playdough is that it’s safe and non-toxic. When you make something yourself, you know what’s in it. This means you can be sure it’s safe for your kids to play with.
Plus, it’s an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought playdough.
Making playdough at home is also a great bonding activity. It’s a chance to spend quality time with your kids, working together on a craft that’s fun and rewarding. Lots of fun memories for kids and adults!
So, why not give it a try? Scroll down to find our easy homemade playdough recipe and get ready for a fun-filled day of crafting and playing.
With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a batch of soft, colorful playdough that your kids will love. Happy crafting!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 C boiling water
- 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (or canola)
- 1/2 C salt
- Food coloring: pink, blue, green, and yellow
Tools
- Medium bowl
- Spoon
- 4 additional bowls for separating and coloring playdough
Store your playdough in airtight containers to prevent it from drying out. Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids or glass jars with rubber seals work well. Use wax paper between the colors.
Another great option is to use ziplock bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bags to keep the playdough soft.
Store in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. This is especially useful in warmer climates or during hot weather.
Before giving the dough to your kids, check its texture and consistency. If it starts to feel dry, you can add a few drops of water and knead it to restore its softness.
I love that you can make this play dough recipe in multiple colors! There’s no end to the combinations.
Get the printable how to card for this kids’ craft below:
Homemade Playdough Recipe
Learn how to make colorful, non-toxic playdough using simple kitchen ingredients. Perfect for kids' creative fun and fine motor skills development.
Materials
- 1 1/4 C boiling water
- 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 2 Tablespoons of oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1/2 C salt
- Food coloring: pink, blue, green, and yellow
Tools
- Medium bowl
- Spoon
- 4 additional bowls for separating and coloring playdough
- Wax paper
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, boil the water.
- In a medium size bowl add flour, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir to mix.
- Carefully add the boiling water and oil to the flour mixture. Stir until dough forms. If the dough is too dry add a small amount of water. If the dough is too wet add a small amount of flour until desired consistency is met.
- Separate the dough into four equal amounts, and place into the additional bowls.
- Add 5 - 10 drops of food coloring and mix/knead with your hands. Continue until all the play dough is colored.
This is the best playdough recipe you’ll find! If you think so too, let me know in the comments. I’d also love for you to check out these other posts: