How To Make Your Own Playdough

What is playdough?

Playdough, as its name suggests, is a dough that children use for imaginative and creative play. It’s made from basic ingredients like flour, salt, water, and oil. You can add food colouring to make the dough more interesting. Depending on the age of the child, playdough can be used for making play models and pretend play. If your child wants to create something they want to keep, it’s best to use modelling dough.

What can you do with playdough?

Simply put it in front of your child on a surface that can be easily wiped clean. Add a few items like cookie cutters or a plastic cup and spoon from a toy tea set, and let your child’s imagination run wild. They can use the playdough any way they like.

Can you make playdough at home?

Yes, you can make playdough at home. If your child loves playing with playdough, it can get expensive to keep buying it. That’s why I’m sharing two playdough recipes so you can make your own at home. Both bought and homemade playdough will keep well in an airtight plastic container.

Store-bought playdough comes in sets of different attractive colors and can be used to teach small children the names of colours and how to mix them. It also comes in handy tubs with lids. However, it’s much more economical to make your own, especially if you have many young children to keep busy.

Playdough Recipe that Needs Cooking

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of plain flour: 250 grams
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil: 30 milliliters
• 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar: 5 grams
• 2 cups of water: 500 milliliters
• 1 cup of salt: 250 grams
• Food colouring: Optional
• A few drops of essential oils: Optional

Instructions:

1. Mix Ingredients: Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized pan.
2. Cook: Cook slowly on low to medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent the dough from sticking to the bottom.
3. Continue stirring until the playdough thickens. Once you see it pulling away from the sides of the pan, take it off the heat.
4. Cool: Transfer the playdough to a clean surface and let it cool before kneading it thoroughly.

This cooking process results in a playdough that has a smooth finish and uniform consistency. The cooking process also tends to fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma of the warmed ingredients.

No-Cook Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of plain flour: 250 grams
• 1/2 cup of salt: 125 grams
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil: 30 milliliters
• 1 cup of cold to lukewarm water: 250 milliliters
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar: Optional, but adds elasticity
• Food colouring: Optional

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the plain flour and salt together. If using cream of tartar, add it at this stage.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the vegetable oil and water to the dry ingredients. If using food colouring, add a few drops to the water before mixing.
3. Stir and Knead: Stir the mixture until it comes together to form a dough. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.
4. Knead: Knead the dough on a flat surface until it becomes smooth and pliable.

This no-cook playdough is quick and easy to make, and it provides hours of fun for kids.

To avoid any damage to carpets or furniture, make sure to cover the play area with a PVC or plastic tablecloth. You can also place a protective sheet or mat on the floor to keep it safe while your child enjoys their playtime.

Storage:

• Store the playdough in an airtight container.
• If you’ve made several colours, consider storing them separately to maintain their distinct vibrancy.
• Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent it from drying out.