How to Make Homemade Play Dough

I’m often asked how to make homemade play dough.. And today I’m sharing my favourite recipe with you! We love to make play dough- especially because it means I’m able to fully ensure I know what ingredients are in the play dough.

I started making play dough more regularly at home because my toddler LOVES it. And then we started turning them into play dough activity jars. When these got popular, we have started to sell these which you can find on my store website here or Etsy here.

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Supplies Needed

• 3/4 Cup of Salt
• 4 Teaspoons of Cream of Tartar
• 2 Cups of Plain Flour
• 2 Cups of Water – Hot!
• 1 Teaspoon of Food Colouring
• 2 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Vegetable Glycerin
• A Large Cooking Pot.
• Small bowl.
• Whisk.
• Wooden Spoon.
• Plastic Mixing Bowl.
• Essential Oils – If Using.
• Glitter – If Using.
• Measuring Cups.

Instructions

1. Add flour, salt and the cream of tartar into the large cooking pot.
2. Use a whisk to mix them together.
3. Add 2 cups of hot water and your choice of food colouring into a small bowl.
4. Mix together until the colouring is dissolved.
5. Add your coloured water from the bowl into the large cooking pot.
6. Next, add your vegetable oil and vegetable glycerin into the pot and mix together. I like to use a wooden spoon for this part.
7. Place the cooking pot onto the stove over a medium heat. Make sure you stir it constantly – don’t stop or leave it!
8. Cook until it becomes almost a play dough texture and then remove from the heat. Don’t let it overcook or it will get dry.
9. Place the play dough into a plastic bowl. I like to use a mixing bowl. When it gets cool enough to touch, knead it really well.
10. If you’re adding essential oils, and/or glitter, now is the time to add these and knead them into the dough really well.
11. Once it’s made, cover it with a damp cloth until it is cool. Store in an air tight container or zipper bag when not in use.

If you don’t want to make your own play dough, you can purchase ours here.

Find my homemade play dough shopping lists below.

UK Shopping List

• Salt
• Cream of Tartar
• Plain Flour
• Water
• Food Colouring
• Vegetable Oil
• Vegetable Glycerin
• A Large Cooking Pot.
• Small bowl.
• Whisk.
• Wooden Spoon.
• Plastic Mixing Bowl.
• Essential Oils.
• Glitter.
• Measuring Cups.

USA Shopping List

• Salt
• Cream of Tartar
• All Purpose Flour
• Water
• Food Coloring
• Vegetable Oil
• Vegetable Glycerin
• A Large Cooking Pot.
• Small bowl.
• Whisk.
• Wooden Spoon.
• Plastic Mixing Bowl.
• Essential Oils.
• Glitter.
• Measuring Cups.

If you like this homemade play dough recipe, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues on social media.

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Nikki