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BEST Homemade Play Dough Recipe

BEST Homemade Play Dough Recipe

I have tried a LOT of playdough recipes, and this one is by far our favorite. It is easy to make and does NOT need to be refrigerated, just keep it in an airtight container and it will last up to one month. This is by far the BEST Homemade Play Dough recipe that we’ve tried and one that I’ve made literally hundreds of times.

When my kids were in preschool, this was a favorite and parents would take turns making this recipe and the kids would get so excited for new colors and fragrances.

Best Homemade Play Dough Recipe

Because of the different variations in color and smell, this is also a really fun activity to incorporate into learning as you can adjust it to the colors and themes that teachers are focusing on in the classroom.

Homemade colorful clay on a white table.

For example, you might consider making orange playdough so that the kids can make their own playdough pumpkins to go along with fall themed learning.

Homemade colorful clay on a white table.

Is there anything better than little hands playing with play dough? Oh my goodness I love it so much, those adorable little hands squishing around in the dough, it’s just one of those simple childhood activities that every generation can enjoy.

 

Playdough from scratch

 

Ingredients for Homemade Playdough

4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
2 Tablespoons Cream of Tarter
Add in:
4 Cups Water
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
Food Coloring to your liking
1 Tablespoon of your scent of choice (we love lemon oil!)

Directions for Making Homemade Playdough

Mix all ingredients in a large pot. Cook over medium heat while stirring CONSTANTLY until a big ball forms and color clarifies.
DO NOT stop cooking too soon or you will have a sticky mess.
(trust your instincts on this, it sounds difficult, but it really comes together quite easily)

Continue stirring until a nice ball of smooth dough is formed. Then knead and cool.

Storing Your Homemade Playdough

As I mentioned above, you can store your homemade play dough in airtight containers for up to a month. Keep a close eye on how dirty it has gotten and depending on how many different kids have played with it – and if it’s cold and flu season – you might want to make it a one-time only use type situation. 

Over the years, I’ve share some of our other favorite play dough recipes and activities including our DIY Snowman Playdough Craft which would be a really fun one to make using this recipe as well, but I can definitely assure you – this one is our favorite. 

how to make playdough

Make Your Own Play Dough

How to Make the BEST Homemade Play Dough Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Tried and tested, this is our very BEST Homemade Play Dough recipe and it's perfect for preschool activities. Best of all, it does not need to be refrigerated and can last for up to a month in an airtight container.

Materials

  • 4 Cups Flour
  • 1 Cup Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Cream of Tarter
  • Add in:
  • 4 Cups Water
  • 4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • Food Coloring to your liking
  • 1 Tablespoon of your scent of choice (we love lemon!)

Tools

  • Wooden Spoon

Instructions

    Mix all ingredients in a large pot. Cook over medium heat while stirring CONSTANTLY until a big ball forms and color clarifies.
    DO NOT stop cooking too soon or you will have a sticky mess.
    (trust your instincts on this, it sounds difficult, but it really comes together quite easily)
    Continue stirring until a nice ball of smooth dough is formed. Then knead and cool.

Did you make this project?

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Meet the author – Keri Lyn

The creative and frugal mind behind She Saved for over 12 years now, Keri Lyn shares her adventures in parenting along with her love for family travel, country living and brand marketing. A self-proclaimed “brand loyalist”, Keri Lyn is known for her strong and enthusiastic voice when it comes to the products and brands that she loves. She Saved has become a community for like-minded consumers who appreciate saving money, time and sanity by getting the best deals on quality products and experiences.

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4 Comments

  1. I like using baby oil instead of vegetable oil for a nice fragrance. The lemon sounds good, too, though. Thanks for sharing.

  2. No Marilyn, cream of tarter is flung in the spice section in the baking isle. It is a white powder that makes food stiff.

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