A Great Playdough Recipe!

This is a great homemade playdough recipe, with step-by-step photos to help you along! I use this recipe all the time, and it lasts for months if you keep it in a plastic bag inside an airtight container. It takes about 15 minutes to cook, plus about half an hour to cool before putting it into a bag.

Using playdough is a great way to strengthen the muscles of the hands to improve fine motor skills, and you can also develop your child’s bilateral coordination skills with play-dough.

Have fun!

Ingredients for Basic Playdough Recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt (table salt)
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
2 cups water
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
a few drops food colouring (go easy – if the colour is too intense, like maroon, it will stain little fingers and clothes. A nice light blue, light green or light pink should not cause any stains)

You need:
A large pot, a wooden spoon, and a clean, dry plate (preferably warm – zap it in the microwave for a minute just before the end – this helps prevent the dough from getting sticky from condensation)

Method for Homemade Playdough
(a summary of the method without using photos, can be found under this photo gallery)

	Add all ingredients to large pot.
	Stir well to combine. (if you prefer, you can whisk them together but it does not make much difference in my opinion)
	Slowly heat over medium heat, stirring all the time. Stir, stir, stir, feel those arm muscles working!
	Stir, stir some more, feel the mixture stiffening.
	Don’t give up! This is the hardest part. Just keep moving the dough around so it heats through evenly.
	Keep going!!
	Try pressing your fingers into the dough to see if it is still sticky. Be careful not to burn your fingers!! This is still a bit sticky, as can be seen from the big globs still sticking to the side of the pot. At this point, stick the dinner plate in the microwave for 2 minutes to warm it up.
	It is best to “overcook” it slightly, than undercook it, so if your arms can bear it, keep it going even though it seems done.
	This is done – it makes a nice ball and leaves no stickiness when you press it (careful, it is probably rather hot by this stage)
	Turn the dough onto a clean dry plate, and knead it a little until smooth.
	Flatten it out so it can cool more quickly, and give it a quick knead every few minutes to prevent a crust from forming.

• Add all ingredients to large pot, and stir well to combine. (if you prefer, you can whisk them together but it does not make much difference in my opinion J )
• Slowly heat over medium heat, stirring all the time.
• Stir, stir some more, feel the mixture stiffening.
• Don’t give up! This is the hardest part. Just keep moving the dough around so it heats through evenly.
• Try pressing your fingers into the dough to see if it is still sticky. Be careful not to burn your fingers!! If there are still big globs sticking to the side of the pot, then it is still too sticky. At this point, stick the dinner plate in the microwave for 2 minutes to warm it up.
• It is best to “overcook” it slightly, than undercook it, so if your arms can bear it, keep it going even if it seems done.
• It is done when it makes a nice ball and leaves no stickiness when you press it (careful, it is probably rather hot by this stage).
• Turn the playdough onto a clean dry plate, and knead it a little until smooth.
• Flatten it out so it can cool more quickly, and give it a quick knead every few minutes to prevent a crust from forming.
• Store in a plastic bag, and keep the bag inside an airtight container if possible. This playdough will last for months, provided that your kids have reasonably clean hands when they play with it, and that they don’t spit on the dough!!!

Don't forget to try some playdough activities!

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