Children of all ages love playdough. There’s just something about the squishy texture that delights children. And the colors provide endless creativity options!
It’s also irresistible not to squish those bright colors together. Almost every parent has attempted to enforce the “don’t mix colors” rule. But unless you sit and play with your child at all times, the colors will inevitably get mixed. And then it’s not long before the whole lot is a muddle of brown.
Replacing playdough is expensive, but there’s a much cheaper option that even allows you to experiment with colors before making your creations!
Why Should I Make DIY Playdough?
Buying playdough is the easiest way to give playdough to your child, but there are benefits to making playdough that you don’t get by buying it. For instance:
- Budding Chefs: If your child is dying to help you in the kitchen, making playdough is an excellent alternative. They will experience the joy of making something and the connection with you, but it doesn’t have to be edible! Making playdough will increase their upcoming cooking skills so they can actually be a help to you in the kitchen.
- Cheaper: This recipe makes enough playdough for 6 children for a fraction of the cost.
- Customizable: You can make whatever colors you want! Make the deepest blue or the brightest yellow–it’s even an excellent opportunity to teach the color wheel.
- Softer: This recipe makes beautifully soft playdough that’s easy on little fingers. Young children will especially benefit from working with softer dough.
- Safety: Even though store-bought playdough is nontoxic, you still don’t know all the ingredients. This recipe has simple, real ingredients without any of the toxic stuff. If your child does happen to take a little nibble of their cookie creation, you know exactly what they’ve eaten.
- Add-ins: You can add glitter, beads, or scents to the recipe to enhance your child’s playdough experience!
Playdough Recipe
Making your own playdough is simple and uses ingredients you likely already have in your house. This recipe comes from Jamielyn Nye of I Heart Naptime:
- 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
- Quart sized bags
Step 1: Stir together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large pot.
Step 2: Add the water and oil.
Step 3: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball.
Step 4: Remove from heat and then place inside a gallon-sized bag or onto wax paper.
Step 5: Allow to cool slightly and then knead until smooth.
Step 6: Divide the dough into balls, one for each color. Add the dough to the quart-sized bags.
Step 7: Add 5 drops of color (add more as you see fit). Knead the dough inside the bag (to avoid staining your hands).
Note: Cream of Tartar minimizes the dough’s stickiness, so it’s essential to include. Cream of Tartar can be found in the spices section of the grocery store.
Store the playdough in Ziploc bags and it will stay fresh for three months.
Give this recipe a try and you’ll be surprised by how easy and fun it is. Plus, you’ll encourage your child’s independence and creativity while making fun memories.