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Easy Playdough Recipe

January 26, 2018 By: Sweet Frugal Life14 Comments

Your kids will love this easy indoor winter activity.

Making a batch of this easy play dough recipe with my kids is one of my favorite things to do.  It is a quick, and easy indoor activity and the kids love getting to help!  You will only need a few ingredients to whip up this playdough, and you probably already have them in your pantry!

I have tried a lot of playdough recipes over the years (and when I say a lot…I really really mean A LOT!).  My friend shared a recipe with me a few years ago and it instantly became our favorite, and I haven’t looked back since. 

This recipe is fail proof!  Try it today with your kids!

  • Related:  Peanut Butter Play Dough Recipe

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Easy Playdough Recipe Tutorial

To make this easy playdough recipe you will need to first mix 1 cup water, 2 Tbsp oil and a few drops of food coloring together in a pot over medium heat for a few minutes.

I always let my kids choose their favorite color for the playdough, and today my preschooler chose the color green (this is his favorite part!).

 


Next, add 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 1 tsp cream of tartar to the pot.  Stir continually over medium heat.  You will want to keep stirring the mixture until the playdough begins to form a ball.

 

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It doesn’t look pretty right now, but I promise, it will!  Take it out of the pan and begin kneading with your hands.  The playdough will be hot at first, but it will cool down fairly fast.

Keep kneading until the playdough becomes smooth.  This will only take a few minutes and then your kids can start playing!


All that’s left to do is pull out all your cookie cutters and silverware and enjoy a fun frugal afternoon playing with your sweet kids!

This playdough will stay fresh in your fridge for a few weeks.  Making it perfect for multiple uses and playdough time!

Fool Proof Play Dough Recipe

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp oil
  • 3 drops food coloring
  • 1 cup flour

  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar

Instructions
 

  • Mix water, oil and food coloring together in a pot over medium heat. 

  • Add flour, salt and cream of tartar. Stir this continually while heating.

  • Keep stirring until a ball is formed.
  • Take out of pot and knead with hands.
    Once smooth you are done!
    Enjoy!

I hope your family enjoys this easy playdough recipe as much as my family does!  It’s such a simple and frugal indoor activity for the kids.

Related Articles:

50 Free Screen Free Summer Kids Activities

Easy Nature Craft for Kids

25 Completely Free Family Winter Activities

Want to make this easy playdough recipe?  Make sure to pin it for later:

easy play dough recipe - fun indoor activity for kids

play dough recipe from scratch - how to make homemade playdough

Enjoy this easy playdough recipe with your kids!

Comments

  1. Andria Carney says

    February 15, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    I tried to make play dough one time, it didn’t turn out great. Lol I’m going to try this one with my nephew and see how it goes. Thanks for the recipe, also do you think my one year old would be able to play with it to? She will probably try to eat it… ?

    Reply
    • sweetfrugallife says

      February 15, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      I hope the recipe works for you! It had honestly been the most fool proof one I’ve tried! One year olds do like to eat everything! The cream of tartar makes the dough a little bitter which helps them not eat as much! I’ve had one year olds play with it when I sit with them and help them make shapes. It’s a pretty good fun for all ages activity.

      Reply
  2. wright6k says

    February 15, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Well this looks I have a fun activity to do with my daughter. I have never liked making it cause I hate the feeling of the salt residue that gets left everywhere. Especially my hands.

    Reply
    • sweetfrugallife says

      February 15, 2018 at 7:43 pm

      I know what you mean! Make your kids do the work of the kneading so your hands can stay clean! 🙂

      Reply
  3. lifenotwastedtheblog says

    February 15, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    This brought back so many fond memories! I used to make play dough with my mom when I was a kid. My mom still makes it with my daughter and niece and nephew. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Sonja says

    February 16, 2018 at 8:05 am

    I’ve made play dough in the past but I’ve never found a recipe I really enjoyed. I can’t wait to do this with my kids! They love making things in the kitchen and so this will be a fun activity for us! When I do it, I will post on my own blog and link to yours and this recipe if that’s okay! Please let me know!

    Reply
    • sweetfrugallife says

      February 16, 2018 at 2:09 pm

      Yes feel free to link to my post. I hope the recipe works out for you!

      Reply
  5. jumpingoffthebox says

    February 19, 2018 at 2:40 am

    Love it! My 5th graders always love to cook in the classroom, this would be a fun, easy project!

    Reply
    • sweetfrugallife says

      February 19, 2018 at 4:10 am

      I love the idea of using it in the classroom! What a fun teacher!

      Reply

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