Recipe: Playdough

6/2/2014

Who loves playdough?

I make playdough using a very simple recipe. It is the boiling water method. Have you tried it?

Making playdough yourself allows you to make several colours at one time. You can experiment with glitter or fragrances too.

It lasts for a long time...months {even when not refrigerated}. As the colours get mixed together {as the inevitably do with children} you may want to make a fresh batch.

In these photos I have used a natural food colouring to make the playdough so the colours are a little dull. Store bought food colouring will give you a vibrant colour.

Making playdough is a great way to get the kids in the kitchen. Children of all ages will love measuring, pouring, mixing and kneading. Preparation is the key if you don't like mess in the kitchen or get stressed with your kids in the kitchen.

Older children may be able to assist with obtaining the equipment needed using the list or photograph provided.

Adult supervision is required when pouring the boiling water. You may also like to add extra oil or water in the final stages depending on the humidity on the day of making it.

Ingredients
2 cups plain flour
4 Tabs cream of tartar
2 Tabs cooking oil
1 cup salt
food colouring
1 cup hot water

Equipment needed
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Kettle

Playdough Ingredients

Playdough equipment needed.

Method
1. Place the flour, cream of tartar, cooking oil and salt into the mixing bowl. Stir.
2. Boil the water in a kettle. Measure 1 cup of water and gradually pour this into the mixing bowl. Stir carefully.
4. Put the dough onto your tabletop and knead until it forms a smooth ball.
5. Divide the mixture into 2 and add food colouring.
6. Knead each ball of dough until smooth.
7. Store in an airtight container.

{Note: You can use one colour if that is preferred}.

This recipe is available as a free instant pdf from the Your Kids OT Shop. You will find a child friendly layout which will also be used for future recipes you will find at Your Kids OT. The playdough recipe includes step by step instructions on a single A4 page version as well as a larger three A4 page version with larger photographs.

Have you made playdough before? Make some this weekend!