Easy Playdough Recipe

This Easy Playdough Recipe can be made in just minutes and will provide hours of fun. And the best part, it will last a very long time without drying out.

Winter is coming and I know a lot of the country is staring to get chilly. Hereit is hard to imagine just how cold it is in some places when we are enjoying days in the 70s and 80s. But, since I know what it is like to try to entertain kids when you are stuck inside, (It happens to us every summer in the 115+ heat) I thought I would share my favorite easy playdough recipe that will provide hours of fun for your kiddos and it will make it so you never have to buy playdough again. And the best part is you probably already have all of the ingredients at home.

I know some moms are against playdough because they don’t like the mess but I have always loved the entertainment it gives to my kids. And once it is dry, all you have to do is sweep up any “leftovers” from the floor or table. I do prefer, only giving them homemade playdough because it doesn’t dry out as quick or crumble as easily. And it stores FOREVER in a sealed plastic baggie.

How to make playdough

Ingredients:

1 C flour
1/2 C salt
1 C water
2 Tbls vegetable oil
2 tsp cream of tarter

Put all ingredients together in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until it boils and becomes thick. Cook an additional 10 seconds or until it pulls away from the pan.

To add color, technically you could add food coloring right into the dough while cooking it. But…that’s not nearly fun enough. 😉 One of my favorite things growing up was when my mom would make playdough and we would get to squish the food coloring into the playdough. I remember waiting patiently for it to cool and then my mom handing us some of the dough with some food coloring and we got to squish and squish until it took the color. Good times!

And then you are ready for play! We have several playdough toys that the boys get out and there really are few things that keep my busy boys entertained longer than playdough. Even my oldest two still get in on the fun.

When done, just store in a sealed plastic baggie or an air-tight container. If you keep the air out, this recipe will store for a really long time.

Do your kids love to play with playdough?

Reader Interactions

Comments

Erika says
January 12, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Love this recipe! My boys love squishing the color into it too!
Reply
- Kara says
  January 28, 2014 at 9:45 am
  Squishing the colors is the best part – even as an adult! lol!
  Reply
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Tami says
January 16, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Thank you so much for this. I want to do this with my campers during summer. 🙂
Reply
- Kara says
  January 28, 2014 at 9:39 am
  This would be a perfect activity for down time while camping! So glad I could help. 🙂
  Reply
karen says
February 6, 2014 at 5:35 pm
I love the idea of the kids adding the food coloring. I haven’t a cooking the play dough recipe like this, but I will definitely do with the grand kids.
Reply
Miz Helen says
February 8, 2014 at 1:45 pm
I love this recipe for the fun playdough for the little ones. Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Reply
Antionette Blake says
February 8, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Thank you for sharing this cute DIY and for linking up with us at the #WWDParty – have a wonderful week.
Reply
Shannon - AKA Design / Bloggers & Brands says
February 11, 2014 at 5:33 am
We haven’t played with Play Doh around here for ages! Might just be time to make some. Thank you for linking up at The Weekend re-Treat Link Party!
Shannon
http://www.akadesign.ca
Reply
- Kara says
  February 21, 2014 at 1:53 pm
  It is so easy to make and lasts so much longer than regular playdough. I highly recommend making it. 😉
  Reply
Alexis says
March 26, 2014 at 10:51 am
I’m excited to try this with gluten free flour. My son has celiac disease and can’t even touch regular Play-Doh.
Reply
- Kara says
  March 26, 2014 at 3:20 pm
  Oh good! I hope it works for him. You’ll have to let me know how it goes.
  Reply
Heidi says
June 6, 2014 at 8:49 am
One of my fondest memories growing up was making play dough! The smell is auh-mazing!
Reply
Tara says
September 11, 2014 at 3:00 am
What’s a substitute for cream of tarter?
Reply
- Kara says
  September 13, 2014 at 11:11 am
  Hi Tara, I’ve been asking around and have heard that lemon juice or vinegar works as a substitute but you just need to use a tiny bit. I haven’t personally tried it but those who have say it works great. Good luck!
  Reply
tonia walsh says
November 7, 2014 at 9:48 am
Thanks for reminding me of this. My son has gotten to old for it but, my nephew is getting old enough for it.
Reply
joan tazisalady says
November 14, 2014 at 11:22 am
I love this recipe. my grandson loves play doh but keeps letting it dry out. This is a great way to resupply him.
Reply
tiffany davis-shaw says
November 17, 2014 at 3:03 pm
hi and thank you for this recipe, my daughter is gonna enjoy this at home instead of waiting till school. nice sharing
Reply
Diana Scholz says
November 18, 2014 at 8:48 am
There are so many things that I see now that I wish I would have seen when my son was a bit younger! This is an excellent recipe and I will share it with my cousins for their kids!
Reply
Kristen Garvey says
November 18, 2014 at 10:11 am
My son just discovered PlayDoh but let it dry out – this sounds easy and fun! Thanks!
Reply
Jill says
December 7, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I have made this cooking recipe and the no-cook recipe. I find that this is a NO FAIL recipe every time! It is super soft and it stays that way as long as it is stored in an air tight container or baggie. The texture of this playdough is SO much better than the no-cook recipe!
Reply

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Easy Playdough Recipe - Never Buy Playdough Again - The Joys of Boys (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3 ingredient recipe for playdough? ›

3 Ingredient Play Dough

1/2 cup cornstarch.
1 cup baking soda.
3/4 cup water.
Optional: 2-3 drops essential oil and 4-5 drops food coloring.

Mar 23, 2024

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What is the best homemade playdough recipe? ›

how to make the world's best homemade play-doh. You'll need 3 cups of white all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of table salt, 3-4 tablespoons of any cooking oil (start with 3 and add more if necessary), 3 cups HOT water, and food coloring.

What is the secret recipe for play-doh? ›

Ingredients for Super Soft Playdough

3/4 cup flour.
1/4 cup baby powder (this is the secret ingredient! If you don't like using baby powder, corn starch is a good alternative)
1/4 cup salt.
2 tsp cream of tartar.
1 tablespoon of baby oil.
3/4 cup of water.
food coloring (I used gel food coloring)

Feb 20, 2023

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How to make homemade playdough with 2 ingredients? ›

Instructions. Place the cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix in the hair conditioner with your hands--it will just start coming together and it will be pliable and very, very smooth. If desired, add a drop or two or food coloring.

View Details ›

How to make playdough fluffy? ›

Knead the dough until it is nice and soft and fluffy. Add more cornstarch, about a tablespoon at a time, until you get a nice malleable dough that doesn't crack or stick to your hands. If the play dough gets too dry, add another squirt of lotion or conditioner; if it gets too wet, add a bit more cornstarch.

How to make playdough with 2 ingredients without cornstarch? ›

Each batch makes about one cup of play dough. Start by combining the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly stir in the oil, warm water, and about 2-3 drops of food coloring until the mixture is well combined. Transfer the dough to a flat surface and let it sit for a few minutes.

How do you make old fashioned playdough? ›

2 cups water 2 cups flour 1 cup salt 2 tbs cooking oil 4 tsp cream of tartar Food coloring (optional) Add food coloring to water it you wish to color the dough. Mix and heat until ingredients form a ball. Knead until smooth and store in airtight container.

Learn More ›

What to make with playdough easy? ›

It is easy to use your playdough to model some of your favorite foods. Some of the easiest to make include a breakfast plate of eggs and bacon, or creating a pizza and adding all of your favorite toppings. Don't forget to make a plate to put all of your delicious food on!

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What are the 4 ingredients in homemade playdough? ›

For the most part, homemade playdough recipes contain the same essential ingredients: flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, water, and food coloring.

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What is fun dough made of? ›

The multi-coloured Fundough set is made using non-toxic child safe clay. This eliminates the risk of allergies. The clay has a smooth texture and vibrant colour. It is suitable for kids of the age 3 years and above.

Know More ›

How to make playdough at home ingredients? ›

Playdough ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour.
3/4 cup salt.
4 teaspoons cream of tartar.
2 cups lukewarm water.
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
Food coloring, optional (I like Wilton gel food coloring or AmeriColor gel)
Quart sized bags.

Learn More ›

What makes play doh stretchy? ›

This recipe calls for 1 cup of hair conditioner. Next I simply needed to open the kitchen pantry and find cornflour/cornstarch. This is what gives it the dough consistency and by adding 2 cups of it to the conditioner after a good knead it becomes lovely and soft, silky and stretchy.

What is the recipe for old school playdough? ›

How to make playdough

2 cups all-purpose flour.
3/4 cup salt.
4 teaspoons cream of tartar.
2 cups lukewarm water.
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
Food coloring, optional (I like Wilton gel food coloring or AmeriColor gel)
Quart sized bags.

Find Out More ›

How to make playdough with flour and without cream of tartar? ›

No Cream of Tartar Play Dough Recipe

1 cup of flour.
1/4 cup of salt.
3/4 cup of water.
3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Food coloring.
Any seasonings or scents you would like.

Mar 14, 2023

Read On ›

What are the ingredients in play dough? ›

Recipe for playdough:

2 cups of plain flour.
4 tablespoons of cream of tartar.
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
1 cup salt.
a few drops of food colouring.
2 cups of boiling water.

Nov 16, 2022

View Details ›

Easy Playdough Recipe - Never Buy Playdough Again - The Joys of Boys (2024)