DIY Silly Putty That’s Better Than Store-Bought (and Cheaper!)

Make your own homemade silly putty with just cornstarch and dish soap! It’s perfect for sensory play, therapy putty, or grown-up stress relief. Budget-friendly, screen-free fun for all ages!

Let’s be honest: store-bought silly putty is fun and all—until you realize you just paid $4.99 for a plastic egg with two tablespoons of stretchy goo inside. Why do that when you can make your own jumbo batch at home for literal pennies using stuff already under your kitchen sink?

This homemade silly putty is quick, easy, and way more satisfying (both financially and tactilely—yes, we’re making that a word).

Made with just cornstarch and dish soap, it’s squishy, stretchy, and weirdly calming.

Perfect for sensory play with kids or for grown-ups who need something to knead while they think, scroll, or survive another Zoom meeting. (Hey, no judgment—I may or may not have a stash of this in my “I’m-having-a-stressed-out-moment drawer” next to the bag of emergency chocolate.)

It also doubles as therapy putty. Seriously. Occupational therapists use similar DIY versions for hand strengthening, stress relief, and fine motor work—and here you are making it in your kitchen like a crafty superhero.

Kids will love squishing it between their fingers, and you might just find yourself playing with it long after they’ve wandered off.

So skip the overpriced store version, roll up your sleeves, and let’s whip up some budget-friendly, boredom-busting, squish-tastic fun!

Get the printable how to card below:

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Did you enjoy this fun draft idea? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other tactile and sensory crafts:

Borax Crystals • Clay Slime • Cloud Dough • Cloud Slime • Crunchy Slime • Homemade Playdough • Jello Play Dough • Kinetic Sand • Moon Sand