How To Make Homemade Play Dough

You will never buy play dough again after trying this homemade play dough recipe. It lasts much longer and is so soft!

I’ve had a home daycare for a long time and know the importance of keeping little kids busy! Since it’s wintertime here and the days are so short we are stuck inside more and I’m always trying to come up with fun things for the kids to do to stay active and engaged.

One of my all-time favorite activities is play dough. I have a big bin of cookie cutters, rollers, cars, and utensils that the kids can use with the dough to create their masterpieces.

I know you can buy premade play dough but I think once you make your own batch that you won’t use the store-bought again! It’s so much better and softer, plus it lasts for so long!

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It’s easy to make too! You are going to need the following things:

• 2 CUPS FLOUR
• 1 CUP SALT
• 1 TABLESPOON CREAM OF TARTAR
• 1 TABLESPOON VEGETABLE OIL
• 2 CUPS HOT WATER
• FOOD COLORING (I USE THE WILTON GELS)

I use my Kitchenaid stand mixer with the dough hook to make mine. You could do it by hand as well. First, I mix the dry ingredients together while I heat up the water (not to boiling but I get it pretty hot).

Then I add the vegetable oil and hot water to the mixing bowl; if you want your batch of play dough to be just one color then add your food coloring now as well.

I mix it until the dough is combined then I like to take it out and knead it by hand for a minute. If the dough feels a bit sticky sprinkle a little flour in and knead some more and if it feels dry add a couple of drops of oil and do the same.

When I make 2 different colors with one batch I separate the dough in half and then add the gel coloring and mix it in by hand; I would highly suggest wearing a pair of disposable plastic gloves for this part or food color will dye your hands.

I store my play dough in plastic air-tight containers and it lasts for months.

**Another fun thing I do is sometimes add glitter to the dough-the kids love it!**

Another fun activity for your little ones is to make one of my Busy Boards! Kids love to fiddle and play with all the pieces that are attached to it.

You may also like how I updated my plastic Step2 Playhouse for a completely fresh look.