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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.
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.
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Signing UpStep 1Ingredients
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
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
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will this dry hard or do you have to bake it? and if so what temp do you put them in? do they crack once dry? and can you paint them?
I have a project that I need clay type of stuff for and if play doh works then I use it, but if not then is there a way to make clay that will dry and be hard but won't crack?
I can't afford the one they have here, it's expensive and it has to be fired to make it hard. Don't have that opinion where I live. So anything cheap that works just like the one that has to be fired would be great.
I made one batch, and then split it into 4 balls that were just under 1 cup each (I had 1 cup plastic containers for storage). Then, I used 1 package of unsweetened Koolaid for each ball. This seems like a lot, but they needed the whole package for the scent to really come through.
I use "lemonade" for yellow, which needed some yellow food coloring to bump up the color.
I used "blue raspberry" for blue, which only needed a little blue food coloring to make a nice bright blue.
I used "lime lemon" for green, and it really didn't need any food coloring because the mix alone made a nice bright lime green.
Then, I used "cherry" for red, and I would NOT recommend it. The cherry mix made the dough turn a sort of dull red, that even with food coloring stayed a dull brick-red sort of color. Next time I'll use strawberry for red.
We played with half of it, and wrapped hte other half in a pretty (plastic) container to give the neigher kid (1 yr. old). We also made another batch to give as a gift to some friends (3 kids) with whom we have a play day next week. What a great (an inexpensive!) gift and afternoon activity!
We scented and colored with ground cinnamon. MMMMMM!!!
I am also planning to make as a treat for my daughter's kindergarten class and give each kid their own for Valentine's day. She suggested red food coloring and cinnamon scent, but I am also thinking brown coloring and chocolate scent. What a treat!
Thanks for reminding me of this activity!
I was about to order some playdough online when I run into your recipe and decided to try it out. The recipe you have here is much easier and the playdough turned out great! I am saving myself some money!!Thanks!!!!!!
1. 2 cups wheat flour + 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar = Sieve them first
2. Add in 1 cup of fine salt
3. stir in the warm water + 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil with a fork until there are no more lumps. You can sieve the mixture again to remove lumps.
4. Pour into a non stick pan. Then stir over low heat. Keep on stirring. Within minutes, the dough will become playdough.
I did it this way, and it worked! For yellow i used, tumeric powder. For brown, i used cocoa powder. For green, i used pandanus leaves. And for blue, I used blue pea flower.
Hope this helps. :)