Are you looking for an easy playdough recipe to make that is inexpensive, quick and will keep your kids entertained for hours and hours? This homemade playdough recipe can be made in batches, stored for months and coloured to any colour of the rainbow using food coloring gels or pastes. So here you go our BEST no-cook playdough recipe ready in just 5 minutes that lasts and lasts and lasts.
What You'll Find on This Page
Playdough Recipe
This is by far the best homemade playdough recipe that uses kitchen ingredients and is ideal for keeping young children busy and entertained. Because of cream of tartar in the mixture it will store for months in an air tight container and is ideal for making on a rainy day and using time and time again.
If you are looking for a salt-free playdough recipe then check out our 2-ingredient apple scented playdough (you can make it with whatever you have available!)
How Do you Make Simple Playdough
You can make this recipe even quicker by swapping stirring to a stand mixer.
Using it that way will make an extra smooth and soft play doh very similar to the store bought stuff.
Just pour all of the ingredients in together and then it’s ready to mix unlike by hand where it is best to mix the dry ingredients first in the bowl and then add in the hot water gradually
How to Colour Homemade Play Dough
Colouring your own play dough is easy. Using food coloring you can get different colour effects.
We use either a gel food coloring or a paste, but watch out if you mix it by hand it can stain them so wearing gloves as you knead the dough is best. However, once made the colour does not come off.
How Do you Store Homemade Playdough
Once made if the kids don’t take it straight away then you can store it easily. Use an airtight container and seal it shut it will last for a long time that way.
What You’ll Need To Keep the Kids Busy with the Playdough
If you are looking to set up a simple play then use some wax paper on the surface, then add in some cookie cutters and rolling pin and your ready to go.
It makes the perfect addition to sensory play you can add it into sensory bins or even with playdough mats.
Support your child learning their alphabet as they use this homemade play doh with a set of Animal and Monster ABC Playdough Mats available in our store now.
Ingredients for homemade Playdough
- 4 cups of Flour plain or all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup of Salt
- 1 cup of Water (hot or boiling)
- 3 tablespoon of vegetable Oil or sunflower oil
- 2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- Food colouring gel or paste (optional)
How to Make Your Own Playdough at home
So, how do you make this diy playdough at home? It’s really easy you can use the recipe below to find out how. Don’t forget to save the best playdough recipe so that you can use it time and time again although once stored in your air-tight container you’ll be able to use for months and months.
Homemade Playdough – No Cook Recipe
Equipment Needed
- Bowl
- spoon
- Kettle
Materials Needed
- 250 g plain flour
- 50 g salt
- 140 ml water boiling water
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 – 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- Few drops of food colouring optional
Instructions
- Mix together the flour and salt in a bowl and add in the water and oil.
- Knead the mixture well until the dough starts to form. You will need to let it cool a little before you attempt this.
- Separate out the dough into parts and add some food colouring gel for vibrant colours.
- Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator until chilled enough to use.
Notes
More Playdough Recipes for Kids
Make some No-Salt Playdough and you can scent it however you want. Ours was scented with apples perfect for some early learning fun.
If your little ones put everything in their mouth then why not make some edible playdough it is taste safe and great to play with too!
We love how vibrant and fun this recipe for homemade Jell-o Playdough is. Plus they smell amazing.
If you have packets of Kool-Aid laying around then you can make amazing scented playdough with them
Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, high school teacher and mum. Realising that life doesn't have to be put on hold and you don't just have to survive whilst the kids are young she shares ideas to inspire you to LIVE with the kids, with activities to do together, recipes to cook and enjoy and family travel to make memories to last a lifetime.