If you’re looking for the best playdough recipe for kids, this is one of my absolute favorites! It’s soft, easy to make, and lasts really well when stored in a Ziploc bag.
This easy homemade playdough recipe comes from the one and only Ooey Gooey Lady, Lisa Murphy (look her up – she’s AMAZING!). It’s such a good one to keep on hand for sensory play, fine motor work, and all the squishing, rolling, cutting, and creating kids naturally love to do.
I love having kids help make it. They can help pour, scoop, stir, choose the color, and knead the dough once it’s cool enough to touch.
Homemade Playdough Recipe for Kids
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 ½ cups salt
- 6 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 6 tablespoons oil
- 3 cups water
- Food coloring, optional
Directions
Step 1: Mix the ingredients.
Add the flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and water to a bowl. Mix everything together. This is a great step for kids to help with.
You can add the food coloring now or wait until the end if you want to divide up the dough into multiple colors.
Step 2: Cook the playdough.
Pour the mixture into a pot and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until a ball forms. Your arm will get tired, but it’s important to stir to keep the playdough from burning!
Step 3: Let it cool.
Remove the playdough from the heat and let it cool until it is safe to touch.
Step 4: Knead the dough.
Knead the playdough until it feels smooth and soft. Kids usually love helping with this part.
You can now divide up the playdough and add food coloring. Yes, adding color now, instead of before cooking, will be a bit messier, but it lets you make multiple colors!
Step 5: Store it.
Store your homemade playdough in a Ziploc bag or airtight container when you’re done playing.
Variation: Create Scented Playdough!
Scent the playdough using:
- Baking extracts (peppermint, lemon, vanilla, orange, etc)
- Ground spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc.)
I often add about 1 teaspoon per batch, but feel free to measure with your heart!
Enjoy!
Did you try this playdough recipe? Tell me how it turned out!
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