Homemade Playdough Recipe

I have had lots of requests for my playdough recipe so I am going to post it here along with a few tips I've learned from making it MANY times.

Homemade Playdough

1 c. flour

1/2 cup salt

1 T. cooking oil

1 T. cream of tartar

1 c. water

Food coloring of your choice

Add-ins of your choice (i.e. spices, extracts, glitter, etc.)

Stir ingredients together well.  Just measure them into the saucepan you will be using to cook the dough, but mix them well before heating up the pan.  Over medium heat cook the dough, stirring constantly until it forms a ball.  (NOTE:  When it starts to pull away from the sides somewhat and clump together and most of the "wet-looking" parts look dry, it's ready to remove from the pan.)  Turn dough onto a board (or the countertop) and knead until very smooth.  (NOTE:  It will be pretty warm to the touch, but try to knead it until it becomes a nice, smooth ball.  If it feels sticky, you can work a little more flour into it and it will be fine.)  Cool.  Store in a covered plastic container OR in a sealed ziploc bag. (ANOTHER NOTE:  This dough does seem to always stick in the saucepan somewhat.  I have tried spraying the pan first, but I still have a crusty residue on the pan when I'm finished.  I am used to this now and just plan on soaking the pan after I make a batch.  I just wanted you to know about that though so you wouldn't think you had goofed something up if that happens.) 

When I add spices, I usually start with about a teaspoon (though I never actually use a spoon).  I just shake a bunch in until I think it's going to produce the desired level of scent.  (I like a LOT of scent.)  If you are adding an extract like vanilla or peppermint, for example, probably just a teaspoon will be enough, but you can experiment with a little more than that.  Also add gradually if you are doing glitter.  I would still start with only about a teaspoon and go from there.

If you would like a printable copy of the above recipe without the hassle of copying and pasting it into your own document, click on the link below.

Download homemade_playdough.doc

This recipe makes a good-sized ball of dough.  It is plenty for my two boys to each have a nice piece to roll and form.  In my classroom I have found that a lump of dough a little larger than a child's fist is plenty for one child at a time to work with.  If you give them too big a ball of dough it can become difficult for them to work with.

ALSO:  The BEST rolling pin that I've come up with is a 6-inch length of a 1-inch wooden dowel.  My dad made one for the boys several years ago.  He sanded it so the ends are smooth and put several coats of clear polyurethane on the dowel so the dough doesn't stick at all.  If you are a parent in my class reading this and have woodworking skills (or know someone who does) I would LOVE to have a few rolling pins like this for school.  We have one at home, but it is used often by my boys, so I haven't been able to take it to school.  We just have a plain wooden one that the dough always sticks to.

Several people have said they are thinking of using the dough as Christmas gifts.  One cool idea for a child you see often is a "Dough-of-the-Month" club.  You could make a different dough for the child each month accompanied by a seasonal cookie cutter.  OR find a large bucket or basket and make up the doughs ahead of time and give them all at once.  They DO last a long time when sealed in an airtight container.  Some ideas for combinations might include:  January--white dough with white glitter OR "snow dough" and a snowman or snowflake cutter; February--pink dough with red glitter and a heart cutter; March--green dough with gold glitter and a shamrock cutter; April--purple dough scented with lavendar oil and an egg cutter; May--yellow dough with lemon extract and a flower cutter; June--blue dough with a boat cutter; July--small balls of red, white and blue dough with a star cutter; August--yellow dough with gold glitter and a sun cutter; September--plain dough (no coloring) with apple pie spices and an apple cutter (or red dough with apple pie spices); October--orange dough with pumpkin pie spices and a pumpkin cutter; November--orange or brown dough with pumpkin pie spices and a turkey cutter; December--gingerbread dough (use lots of cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves) with a gingerbread cutter OR green dough with peppermint extract and gold glitter and a tree cutter OR red dough with peppermint extract and gold glitter and a candy cane cutter.

Comments

[Sandwich in Wi]

My very favorite way to color this dough (and the cheapest, too!) is to add a package of koolaid powder (the unsweetened kind) They range from 10 cents/pack on sale to maybe 30 cents full price. Generic brand works fine too. Added bonus is you get scented playdough! This makes wonderful, rich colors. I stir the packet into the water/oil before adding to the dry ingredients. Just don't buy the dye free koolaid!

For the person who asked about white playdough, just use white flour and don't add any coloring!

[Victoria]

Just curious, could you use kool aid to dye this dough? I saw that on another recipe somewhere and think it's a great idea to get cute colors and yummy smells :)

[Laura]

Awesome! I am going to post something about a new playdough project soon!

To: directress@live.com

[Jessie]

Just made this yet again with my girls. Thanks!

[Alison]

Linked back to you in this post:
http://naturally-mum.blogspot.com/2010/10/wow-week-42.html

[Kate @ the wooden spoon]

Love it! Just made a batch of "apple pie" play dough for my kindergarten class. They'll be thrilled! Great recipe - thanks for sharing.

[Darcey]

Great post. I like all the creative things you add for each month. I've linked to
your post here:
http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-colors-lesson-plan.html

[AdrienneSFTS]

We LOVE playdoh here! Thanks for the recipe. I was just asking someone about this the other day. :)

[Laura]

Im so glad you liked the playdough post. Staytuned. I have an idea for a new fall playdough idea coming soon to a blog near you!
Laura

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[Amy]

This is great. I can't wait to try it with my 3 kids, 2 1/2 year and 20 month old twins. We just used playdough for the first time last week and I think it went over well. We will definitely try it again as well as your suggestions for dough of the month club!

[Joyful Mama]

Hi Laura! Just to say that I made this recipe for the umpteenth time today and it is still a hit! Please come visit at http://joyfulmamasplace.blogspot.com/2010/09/playdough-cupcakes.html to see how we used it. Love from South Africa!

[Laura]

Several drops of red food coloring. I just keep adding until I get the hue I want. An electric wok is a good idea!
Thanks for writing!
Laura

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[Bette Vaughan]

I make all my own play doh in the classroom and let the children help. I use an electric wok. It works great and doh doesn't stick. My question is how did you get it so red?

[Laura]

Thanks for writing, Abbie. Im glad you liked it. Its a great recipe. I made some for VBS this week.
Take care,
Laura

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[Laura]

Great ! Im glad you liked it.

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[Abbie]

Found this recipe over at Counting Coconuts, she linked you and we tried it today. My two year old daughter was able to help me make it and she loved that. We didn't have it stick to the pot at all. I did make the mistake of thinking she would be able to play with it right away and she kept telling me it was too hot. She got frustrated after a little bit and told me she would play with it later! HA!
Thanks for the great recipe.

[monica]

just made this for the fist time. I'll be making it again and again. Thank you so much!

[Laura]

Homemade playdough is the best. Glad you are enjoying the recipe.
Take care and thanks for writing!
Laura

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[Cristina]

Thanks for sharing! I've been looking for one. I have 5 boys 10,9,7,3 and 1. We LOVE making stuff. Thid play dough is perfect because it will allow me to work with my older ones in the kitchen and we can ALL play with the dough once its ready. My oldest loves Ace of Cakes and I've been telling him we can make some '' play '' cakes with this dough. I can't wait!

[Laura]

I dont know. Mine is always firm enough to holdshapes. I guess if you increased the amount of flour a bit that might help.

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[Firuzi]

Hi Laura,

Made a new batch, with COT, this time!
It's wonderfully soft and pliable, I was just wondering - is there a way to make it firmer, so that it can take and hold shapes better?

Thanks!
Firuzi

[Firuzi]

Hi again Laura,

Got the COT so I shall be making a new batch, with it, this time! Let's hope it turns out well.
Thanks for the tip about adding more flour to the previous batch. Will do!

Bye for now,
Firuzi

[Laura]

I would definitely add more flour. Cream of tartar is a powder, so replacing it with a liquid would make the outcome more sticky. Another thing you can substitute for COT if you find it is called alum or granulated alum. It works very welltoo.
Thanks for writing!
Laura

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[Firuzi]

Hi Laura,

Have been hunting up Montessori blogs in the last few days and loved yours. It's so nice to have moms blogging this way.

I made a batch of Playdough yesterday but replaced the Cream of Tartar with vinegar. Can't find COT around here and will need to go to a main market to get it. (I'm in Bombay). It turned out quite ok, let's see how it lasts!

It does seem quite sticky though, do you think adding some more flour now will do the trick?

Do you have any other suggestions instead of Cream of Tartar?

Thanks a lot,
Firuzi

[Laura]

Thanks, Lenetta. Im glad you liked the idea.
Take care,
Laura

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[Lenetta @ Nettacow]

Forgive me for being late to the party :>) but I just found this and love it, especially the dough of the month club! I've never really thought about personalizing it that way - too fun. And thanks for the details on the perfect rolling pin, I'll get my dad right on that one. :>) I linked to this on my weekly roundup, the post is under my name. (And I promise I'm not spam like the last one!) Thanks for sharing!

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I really like this blog, you are very good making them. I say that the issue discussed in this blog is quite interesting and of high quality.

[Lisa]

What would you add to make the dough white as opposed to regular dough colored? I have one of those little boxes of food coloring but its just red, blue, green, yellow.
Thanks!

[Rebecca]

I just made this and loved it! Ill probably never buy regular play dough again! This made a great amount and is so easy and came out so smooth! And i absolutely love the gift ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!

[Miss Muffin]

I tried your playdough recipe today and LOVED IT!!! I put a link to your site on my post playdough post. Am really keen to try your ideas for the "dough of the month" - so cute!
Thanks for sharing this!

[Bethany]

I hope it's okay that I linked to this from my blog.. it really shouldn't bring much traffic at all. I've tried a lot of playdough recipes and this one is my favorite! Thanks so much for sharing it.

[Melissa]

We used your recipe yesterday, and I just blogged about it. Thanks for the recipe and all of the wonderful ideas!!!

[Miri]

Hi Laura!
If it is fine with you, I would like to know too what you use for containers for the playdough. Thanks, Miri

[Mary]

I LOVE THIS IDEA!
When you do this, what do you use for containers for the playdough when you are gifting them?

[CathyT]

I think I wil use this idea for some holiday gifts for holiday parties we are invited to this season. Thanks!

[RM]

i just love it!

[Illuminated Attic]

Love playdough. I always use the Wilton gel icing colors for ours, it makes dough in colors that are so deep and rich! I buy them when they are on sale for around $1.50 and use about 1/3 a bottle for each batch of dough. Open bottles last a long time in the fridge. A fellow teacher once told me she froze hers to keep them longer but I haven't tried it myself.

[Anna]

I have used a similar recipe before, but never thought to use different scents.... great idea!