I’m sharing 3 EASY play dough recipes below. The goal is to find a recipe that will work based on ingredients you already have in your home without having to venture out of the house.
I’m sharing a two ingredient play dough recipe, Grandma’s recipe and one more recipe for good measure!
Since we are only a few days into our extended March Break and we’ve already made a good dent in my list of 100 activities to do with your kids I figured it was a great opportunity to make homemade play dough.
Grandma will sometimes make play dough (my favourite – I prefer its consistency and it seems to stay fresher longer.)
I know I already said this but what child doesn’t love playing with play dough? It is a great hand sensory activity, you can create learning activities like cutting out letters and numbers, colours or counting, creating shapes and animals. My guys have always loved playing with play dough and it is a great way to keep them sitting still in one place for a good hour. Whatever play dough crumbs that are left behind I just leave them, let them dry up and they vacuum up no problem! My guys will pull out their dinosaur toys, dinky cars, rolling pins and cookie cutters. I like seeing them get creative with their hands and using their imaginations.
Why I love play dough:
- It’s inexpensive
- Lasts for months
- Great sensory activity for kids
- You can customize (colours, sparkles or essential oils)
- The kids can help make it (with non bake play dough, the kids can help mix in the ingredients, this will entertain them for an extra 3 minutes).
2 Ingredient Play Dough Recipe:
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup conditioner – use the cheap stuff!
- Food coloring (optional) – we used food colouring but just be careful as it can stain your skin – or counter! We used very little for these nice muted colors.
Instructions: Start with cornstarch in a bowl then add conditioner. I found this very sticky at first so gradually add more conditioner. I used a little less than one cup. You can add more conditioner to make it more moist. Then add food colouring if you wish. Keep stored in an air tight container when not in use.
My review on this play dough – It worked. The boys played and loved it. I found this recipe to leave residue on their hands which they didn’t seem to mind. I’m not sure how long this one will stay fresh but you can always add a little more conditioner to moisten it. I 100% prefer Grandma’s recipe. But it is important to work with what ingredients we have these days 🙂
Grandma’s recipe for Play Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in a pot cooking over low/medium heat. Stir continuously until thickens. As it cools, Grandma suggests separating dough into piles on wax paper for colouring. Then knead carefully so it doesn’t get all over your hands. Store in air tight container.
Here is one more recipe for good measure – just in case you’re struggling with ingredients and cannot get out for something, hopefully one of these recipes works for you!
No Cook Homemade Play Dough Recipe:
- 2 cups Plain Flour
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil, or baby oil or coconut oil.
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 to 1.5 cups boiling water
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together. Stir continuously until thickens. Slowly adding in hot water until it feels good.
Hopefully these recipes will be helpful and the kids enjoy play dough time!
xo Amy
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