How to Make Playdough (Play-doh)

Playdough (aka Play-doh) is easy to make at home, and fun for kids of all ages.  Here's how to make your own non-toxic toy with custom colors and fragrances.

This is the classic method that involves a bit of cooking on the stovetop - I prefer it because cooked playdough has a better texture than uncooked varieties.  If you want the kids to be able to do it all themselves, try this uncooked playdough recipe.

Warning:  Keep away from dogs and other pets.  Playdough smells like people food but contains lots of salt, and a hungry dog can eat enough to cause a dangerous salt imbalance.

Step 1: Ingredients

Playdough is a classic childhood toy everyone can have fun with, and it's so easy to make at home you'll never buy that stinky store variety again.

Basic ingredient ratios:
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)

food coloring (liquid, powder, or unsweetened drink mix)
scented oils

Comments

[vhata]

I used this recipe and mine turned out great! check it out...

[vhata]

Here is a pic...

[dsaavedra]

cool! i made a monster :)

[DrWeird117]

pwnage! i like that! its godzilla!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

[canida]

Sweet!

[dsaavedra]

heres another:

[codongolev]

EAT THE BUNNY!!!!

^{(or whatever the small thing is)}

[jimmy bobb]

cool animals

[Sunny124613]

it looks like a head a eating a rabbit, just like Bambi! except even more bad I mean who would eat a small hare???!!!

[mrsszek]

lol

[Sunny124613]

yah!! i closed up on it and it looks like a buny

[frenzy]

have great news!

This posting has won today's "I Made It" Challenge. For winning you will receive a 3 month pro membership!

Thanks for using instructables!

http://www.instructables.com/community/June-is-I-Made-It-Challenge-Month-Win-a-Pro-Mem/

[airrikajswan]

I used neon food coloring. The Playdough turned out great!

[gordon.arber]

In my (almost 2 year old) sons stocking for Christmas this year he received a package of cream of tartar and a box of neon liquid food coloring. When he unwrapped it, he looked at me like... umm ok? I then tried to explain to him that I was going to make playdough with him. He had no idea what I was talking about. So thankfully this weekend I was able to make it for him using this recipe, It turned out great and he loves it! He enjoyed helping me too. This process is not messy at all! Thanks for the memories!

[tadobbs]

I LOVE this recipe. I just got done making it for my 2 yr old she helped me make it (by stirring the dough until it was to hard for her). She is now having loads of fun playing. She even too a taste of it and said ICKY.

[mgregory5]

i was a little over ambitious and doubled my dough... Took a little more elbow grease than if I would have just stuck to a single order. None the less, this was amazing and worked out great!!!!

[Cat2014]

I only have to say it's super!

[NiCaam]

I have to admit I love the smell of store bought play-dough. Just brings back childhood memories, but I love that I can make this with the kids at home. We make slime all the time, and this would be a great addition. Thanks.

[MrsOwens]

Awesome! This is perfect! I cant wait to make this with my kids! Also would you mind if I shared your post on my blog? http://simplysassyscreations.blogspot.com/

[mameshiba bean]

The salt burned my fingers

[mameshiba bean]

I did this for a market day project at school, and got lots of customers. Great recipe.

[ILoveOwls]

Is there anyway to use less salt?

[ILoveOwls]

Is there anyway to use less salt?

[RiyaWorks]

works perfectly! just took 6 minutes from start.
I forgot oil :) but still outcome is excellent!

[salokcin]

Not sure how to search comments, so this may be a double post.

I made this last night with my 2.5yr old and he absolutely loves it!

The main problem I had is that the dough is still very grainy from the salt. I think next time I will dissolve the salt into the warm water before adding it to the rest of the dry ingredients.

Thanks!

[i_own_swag]

will it still be a little elastic without the cream of tartar

[ctschudi]

This looks like the recipe I used when the kids were kids. A friend suggested adding scents like cinnamon but I think this might encourage eating.

[ruthebebe]

Hi, I made your playdough this week for a very grateful toddler, it worked really well, thank you!

[rdixon10]

for madison

[Bluefur]

how long does it bake in the oven?

[vini101]

did you color die them?

[super.girl]

how long does it take being cooked? Mine took about half an hour and it's still sticky, so i've wacked it in the fridge.... any tips?
Great website though!!!!

[hi_lol]

da dumby keep cookin it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shiply_Spain]

I really like the concept! I will pass this link to my girlfriend who works as a baby sitter. I am sure kids love ie

[hi_lol]

oooohooohoooo someone is in love did you kiss her yet

[mvillett]

mine grew mold

[mistymoocow]

mine turn out good thanks

[decentbookreader]

hi this is really great recipe but can any one tell me are they turn dry after some time ?or remain smooth n elastic ?

[courtneyinnz]

arh don't add cinnamon it makes you want to eat it and believe me you don't want to eat it!

[wolfoxx]

Hey there. I'm really interested in this recipe and due to there being over 500 comments before me and looking through them all I thought it would be quicker to ask. The salt in this recipe is used as a preservative in this mixture correct? And possibly to keep children/animals eating it. But what if I want to eat it. Personally it looks quite edible and something of this texture is really what I'm looking for. I'm sure there are other doughs out there I could use but, play dough has such a marvellously unique texture. Anyway, as I said before, salt is used as a preservative here, but sugar is also a preservative. Have you tried this recipe with sugar instead? I think the quantity would have to be reduced a bit because it would probably be a little too sweet, but none-the-less I think It would work. I'll probably give it a go in the near future at half the quantity to try it out but I thought I'd ask before hand in case you, or anyone else who may read this has tried and it failed miserably. Thank you for this wonderful instructable, you explained it thoroughly and precisely with well-taken pictures.