If it’s a rainy day and you’re on the hunt for fun activities for kids, making homemade playdough is a great choice. We’ve gathered a number of easy playdough recipes that are great for getting kids active in the kitchen and learning through play. Mixing and measuring playdough utilizes sneaky math skills. Watching liquids change to solids and various ingredients combine falls under science. And, getting creative with colors can even add in a little art lesson. Once your favorite playdough recipe is ready, your little one can have their very own playdough sensory play. More: 25 Toys, Books, and Games to Stock Up On Before We’re Stuck Inside this Winter We love that there are so many ways to create DIY playdough. Whether you choose to utilize the stovetop or a no-cook option, you can make edible recipes that are safe for even the youngest kids. Keep some air-tight containers or Ziploc bags handy so that you can make these easy playdough recipes last for days or even months. For even more ways to have fun in the kitchen, check out our homemade playdough video tutorial!
1. Classic Homemade Playdough Recipe
This is a classic recipe for standard cooked playdough. When stored properly it can last up to 6 months. If you find that it is starting to dry out, squish in a little more vegetable oil. If it starts to sweat, knead in a little more flour. For best results, let this playdough cool completely before storing. Wrap in plastic wrap first, and then store in an air-tight container or plastic Ziplock bag. Equipment
Saute Pan Mixing Bowl Wax Paper
Ingredients
1 cup of water 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil ½ cup of salt 1 tablespoon cream of tartar Gel food coloring 1 cup of all-purpose flour
Directions
2. Edible Kool-Aid Playdough
The Best Ideas for Kids has a great edible, though not super tasty, Kool-Aid Playdough recipe you have got to try. The more kool-aid powder you add the more vibrant the colors and scent will be. Each Kool-Aid powder will make different colors of playdough, so mix and match to make your favorite colors. Keep in mind that the playdough itself is a beige color, like cookie dough, so you may need to add more powder for colors like blue and green than you do for red or purple. Have fun experimenting! Equipment
Saute Pan Mixing Bowl
Materials
1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons cream of tartar ½ cup salt 2 packets of Kool-Aid 1 tsp vegetable oil 1 cup of water
Directions
3. 3-Ingredient Salt Playdough
This simple salt dough recipe is perfect when you need a quick activity with limited prep time. Likely you have all three ingredients already in your kitchen cabinets, just salt, flour, and water. The best part about this recipe is that it can be baked after you’re all done playing. Give your kids some rolling pins and cookie cutters, use a straw to poke a hole at the top, and then bake at 150℉ until fully dry, turning regularly. Once cooled add a string or ribbon through the hole, and you have adorable handmade ornaments. Equipment
Saute Pan Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
1 cup of salt 1 cup of water 2 cups of all-purpose flour
Directions
4. The Best No Cook Playdough Recipe
Follow this easy tutorial by The Artful Parent for a super simple no-cook playdough recipe. The results are beautiful and will last for multiple uses when stored correctly. Equipment
Mixing Bowl Wax Paper
Ingredients
2 cups of all-purpose flour 1 cup of water 2 Tbsp cream of tartar 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil Liquid Watercolors, or Food Coloring 2 cups of boiling water (hot water if kids are helping)
Directions
5. Scented Playdough Recipe
Essential Oils are a great way to make lovely-smelling playdough. Not only does this playdough smell great, but it helps make sensory play even more engaging. The Pinning Mama recommends oils such as peppermint, citrus, lemon, lime, and even lavender. Because your child will be coming into contact with essential oils, please make sure that they are safe for the age of your child. This is a great no cook recipe to try with your little ones. Equipment
Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
2 cups of all-purpose flour ½ cup of salt 2 Tbsp cream of tartar 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 ½ cups of hot or boiling water 10-15 drops of essential oil Food coloring
Directions
6. Gluten-Free Playdough Recipe
Against All Grain has a great Natural Gluten-Free playdough recipe that lasted for over a year stored in a glass container! Having a gluten-free option is great for kids who have contact allergies, or who may give their playdough a taste test when they can’t ingest gluten. Equipment
Parchment Paper Large pot of skillet
Ingredients
1 cup of rice flour ⅓ cup tapioca starch ½ cup of table salt 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 cup of water 2 teaspoons coconut oil Natural food dyes
Directions
Start Playing
Just as playdough can be stretched and molded to create absolutely anything, the possibilities are endless when creating your own homemade playdough recipes. Even if you don’t have a specific ingredient like cream of tartar or coconut oil on hand, there are lots of options to choose from. Kids will have just as much fun making the dough as they will playing with it, and you’ll never need to buy jars of Play-Doh from the store again.
