Homemade Playdough Recipe

I’ve often used this homemade playdough recipe to keep kids busy at the kitchen table while I’m working at the counter. When you’re working away in the kitchen, preparing yummy things for your holiday feast, it’s great to have something to keep the little ones occupied.

This playdough recipe makes a wonderful, soft dough that keeps for a while without drying out. It does sometimes leave a bit of a film on the table surface. My kitchen tabletop is formica, so it easily cleans up with a bit of homemade vinegar cleaner and a microfiber cloth. I’d recommend a tray or tablecloth like you’d use for any kids’ art project if you’re worried about your table. 🙂

How to make Homemade Playdough

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Food coloring

Put all ingredients in a medium-sized pot.

Mix everything together. I used a few drops of gel food coloring in blue and the playdough turned out a really awesome bright blue color!

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. You will need a heavy spoon, as the dough will become harder to stir and will gather on the spoon. When it is very thick and there are no big goopy places, dump it from the pan onto wax paper.

After it has cooled for a minute or so, knead it until it is smooth.

If it is too sticky to knead because I didn’t cook it long enough, I’ve been able to add a bit of flour and knead it in until the playdough is not sticky.

After the playdough is cool, store it in a plastic bag (or let the kids play with it.) 🙂 It will keep for several weeks if kept sealed. It does not need to be refrigerated.

Some variations for this recipe include:

Leave it white and add some glitter for snowy playdough.

Use a package of unsweetened Kool-Aid mix to add color and scent.

Make a simple rolling pin by cutting a length of dowel.

Add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to give the playdough a relaxing scent. (If you add essential oils, be sure they are not something that will irritate little ones’ skin.)

This recipe can be doubled. It’s a bit harder to stir when it gets thick, but a double batch will give two or three kids a each good-sized chunk of playdough to play with.

If you’re looking for easy, low-cost activities for the little ones at your house, I love the book Child’s Play by Leslie Hamilton.