How to Make Playdough

Mix flour, cream of tartar, and salt in a small pot. Start by measuring 2 cups of flour, 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar, and ¾ cup (180 ml) of salt. Then, thoroughly mix all the dry ingredients together.

• Don’t reduce the amount of salt; it helps keep the playdough from being too sticky.
• The pot should be cold at this stage, so there’s no need to turn on the stove yet.

Add 2 cups (470ml) of water and 2 tablespoons (30ml) of vegetable oil. Use a spoon to mix the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Stir until the mixture is smooth and no longer has any lumps of flour.

• An egg beater can help you break up any stubborn clumps of flour.

Substitute for vegetable oil

If you want a sweeter playdough, use coconut oil.

If you want a smoother playdough, use baby oil.

If you run out of vegetable oil, you can use canola oil or olive oil instead.

Cook the mixture over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Set the stove to medium heat and stir the playdough mixture. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot often to prevent the dough from sticking or burning.

• If the stove heats up quickly, cook the dough for just 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Remove the dough from the pot when it’s no longer sticky. You’ll notice the dough will no longer stick to the pot as it thickens and forms into a ball. Once the dough is no longer wet and can be shaped into small pieces, carefully remove it from the pot.

• Although you can use your hands to remove the dough once it’s ready, it’s best to use a spoon to avoid burns.
• Don’t forget to turn off the stove and remove the pot. You can soak the pot in soapy water to make cleaning easier.

Add a few drops of food coloring if you want to make multi-colored playdough. The more drops you add, the darker the playdough will become. The general rule is to start with 5 drops and increase the amount if you want a brighter color.

• If you want to make playdough in multiple colors, divide the dough into equal portions before adding the food coloring. For example, if you want red and blue playdough, divide the dough in half and add color to each portion separately.

Some optional ingredients for playdough

Food coloring

Glitter

Essential oils like lavender or peppermint

Glow-in-the-dark paint

Coarse salt

Cotton balls

Knead the dough for about 30 seconds or until it becomes smooth. Use your hands to squeeze and fold the dough until it’s free of lumps. If you’ve added food coloring or other additives, keep kneading until the dough is even and no longer streaky.

• If the dough is still too hot, wait for it to cool down a bit before kneading.
• You can knead the dough on any surface, such as a clean countertop covered with parchment paper.

Store the playdough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Make sure the container is sealed tight to prevent the dough from drying out. Dispose of the playdough after 3 months, or if you notice mold.

• If the playdough dries out, knead in a few drops of water to restore its texture.
• You can also store the playdough in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

Mix marshmallows, cornstarch, oil, and water in a bowl. Start by placing a 280g bag of marshmallows into a microwave-safe bowl. Then add 2.5 cups of cornstarch, ⅓ cup (80ml) of vegetable oil, and 3 tablespoons (45ml) of water.

• Check the bottom of the bowl to ensure it’s microwave-safe. You might see the label "Safe for microwave use" printed on it.

Heat the bowl in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring the mixture every 30 seconds. You need to heat the mixture until the marshmallows are completely melted. Checking and stirring the mixture every 30 seconds helps prevent it from burning.

• The marshmallows will begin to brown if heated for too long.
• Remember to scrape the bottom of the bowl while stirring to prevent burning.
• Depending on the microwave’s power, you may not need the full 2 minutes to melt the marshmallows.

Add a few drops of food coloring to the bowl to color the playdough. If you want a soft pastel shade, just use a few drops of color. On the other hand, if you prefer a bolder and brighter color, increase the number of drops. Remember, a little food coloring goes a long way.

• You can also leave the playdough white if you prefer.
• Get creative and mix different colors of food coloring. For example, use red and blue to create purple playdough.

Knead the dough until it’s smooth and evenly colored. Similar to kneading bread dough, use your hands to pull, fold, and squeeze the playdough. When done, there should be no clumps of cornstarch or streaks of food coloring left.

• If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more cornstarch and keep kneading.
• Rub a bit of coconut oil on your hands before kneading to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers.

Store the playdough in an airtight container in the fridge for about 1 week. Since the playdough is edible and made from perishable ingredients, it should be kept for a short time. Be sure to seal the container tightly to keep the playdough from spoiling.

• Do not let children eat playdough stored in the fridge for more than 1 week or if you notice any mold.
• You can also use a resealable plastic bag to store the playdough.

• Each recipe will have a different ingredient ratio, so feel free to experiment until you find the balance that works best for you.
• Use a toothpick to apply color to the four corners of the playdough to create a swirl effect.
• Always wash your hands before making playdough.
• If any playdough falls on the floor or is contaminated by sneezing or coughing, discard it immediately.
• Allow children to choose colors and assist with tasks like mixing ingredients. This helps them feel involved and cared for.
• You can also make playdough without cooking it.

• The salt content in playdough can be harmful to pets, so make sure to keep it out of their reach.
• Adult supervision is essential throughout the process of making and playing with playdough.
• Be cautious when storing playdough at room temperature or in the fridge for extended periods as it may mold.
• Playdough can easily stick to fabrics. It’s important to know how to remove it from clothing or carpets before playing to handle any potential messes quickly.