Make your own homemade playdough with this super easy and inexpensive recipe. It feels just like regular playdough, but without all the chemicals.
When I was younger, I would play with playdough for hours, mixing colors together, pretending to make cupcakes, and eating a little here and there. Ahhh, those were the good days…
But now that I am aware of the harmful chemicals and artificial dyes, I’m glad none of my younger siblings ever play with it. Not we have it in the house anymore. It has long since been thrown out.
Still, the experience of playing the playdough is something that can’t be missed out on. Especially if there are young children in your home who want to help cook in the kitchen, but aren’t capable.
One of the reasons why I love homemade playdough is because it is super inexpensive. With simple and cheap ingredients, like flour, water, and salt, making homemade playdough is pretty much a must. Not to mention the fact that kids love it and it’s super easy to make! It only takes a few minutes to whip up for hours of fun!
The miracle of playdough is that kids would play with it for HOURS if you’d let them. They can squish it, roll it out, shape it into virtually anything, cut out shapes, and more!
One of the things my baby brother loves to do most with playdough is cut a shape (in today’s case…a duck), hold it in one hand, and hold the cookie cutter in the other hand, and talk in a really high-pitched baby voice. It’s quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Seriously.
You can also add essential oils to your playdough for aromatherapy benefits. Just make sure to add it after the playdough has cooled completely! It’s really easy to knead in a little bit of Lavender, Lemon, or Wild Orange Essential Oil to reap the benefits of aromatherapy.
Letting your child play with playdough that has Lavender Essential Oil in it before bedtime can help them to calm down and relax.
Here’s the recipe:
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- ½ cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5-7 drops natural food dye
- 3 drops essential oil of choice, optional (I recommend Lavender or Wild Orange)
- In a medium saucepan, combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Mix thoroughly with a whisk.
- Add hot water and oil and whisk until there are little to no more lumps in the mixture. Add dye color of choice.
- Place pan over medium heat and stir constantly, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan as the playdough thickens. Continue to stir until playdough scrapes away from the edges of the pan and is thick.
- Transfer playdough to a cutting board or silicone baking mat. Knead for 1-2 minutes. The playdough shouldn't be too hot, but if it is, spread it on the cutting board/silicone baking mat and let cool for 3 minutes. Then knead to smooth out any lumps and make sure the color is evenly dispersed. Store in an airtight bag or container.
One thing to note: If playdough is left out exposed to the air for too long, it will dry out. To avoid this, when playdough is not in use, store in an airtight bag or container.
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I forgot how much I loved making playdoh for my kiddos when they were young. I am a new Gramma and can’t wait to do that again! Your photography inspires me too, I am a slow learning of lighting, etc.! I’d love for you to share it with us over at Country Fair Blog Party if you find a moment! It would be a perfect inexpensive and frugal yet fun gift idea!
http://www.thetipgarden.com/2014/11/country-fair-blog-hop-november-14.html
Jan @ Tip Garden