fun kids crafts

How to Make Homemade Play-dough (Playdoh)

Child playing with homemade playdough at a table, shaping and molding dough with hands
| canvas22creations

This recipe makes approximately 4 playdoh containers

What you need:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 4 tsp cream of tarter
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil
  • Food coloring

Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl: flour, salt and cream of tarter and set aside.

In a saucepan, add water, oil and food coloring. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the saucepan, mixing as you pour. Continue to mix and cook over low to medium heat. At first, it has the consistency of icing, but after a few minutes it starts to get thicker. Remove from the heat once a solid ball forms (3-5 minutes) and let cool.

*Do NOT undercook the playdoh because it will be sticky and do NOT overcook because it will crumble.

Store playdoh in an airtight container.

Mixing pink homemade playdough ingredients with red food coloring in a saucepan
Adding color while mixing ingredients for homemade playdough – liquid stage right before it thickens
Homemade playdough mixture thickening while being stirred in a pot
The mixture thickens as it cooks and begins to form playdough – icing consistency
Smooth homemade playdough mixture being stirred as it finishes cooking
The playdough is almost ready—thick, smooth, and coming together perfectly – just before it forms into a ball.
Homemade playdough finished and ready to use with smooth soft texture
The final stage of homemade playdough—soft, smooth, and ready for play.