Homemade Playdough Recipe (step-by-step)

Discover the easiest homemade playdough recipe that stands out from the rest! This quick and foolproof step-by-step tutorial lets your kids take charge, crafting soft, long-lasting playdough with simple ingredients you already have at home. Perfect for fun, creativity, and budget-friendly family bonding.

This recipe makes 2 pounds of playdough and costs around $1.77 to make!

Table of Contents

Homemade Playdough Recipe, Step-By-Step Fun!

Hi friends,

Do you need a quick and easy activity to keep the kids entertained for more than 30 seconds? Trust me, I’ve been there! When boredom strikes and I need something to capture all of my kids’ attention, homemade playdough is my go-to solution.

We break out cookie cutters and rolling pins and get creative together. I even join in the fun! We have this adorable Alphabet cookie cutter set that’s perfect for spelling out words—sight words, colors, names, you name it. It’s like sneaking in a lesson without them realizing it. I call it “Mom’s school,” and they’re working their brains while having a blast!

What You’ll Love About This Homemade Playdough Recipe

• Simple ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples like flour, salt, and vegetable oil.
• Easy to follow: These straightforward instructions are perfect for anyone—even kids!
• Customizable colors: Add food coloring to create any color you want, or divide it into multiple colors.

Equipment

• large heavy-bottomed pot
• measuring cups
• whisk
• measuring spoons
• wooden spoon
• mixing bowl
• Quart-sized Ziploc bags

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $1.77

Per Serving: $1.77

• 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.24
• ¾ cup table salt – $0.36
• 1 ½ Tablespoon cream of tarter – $1.07
• 2 cups warm water $0.00
• 2 ½ Tablespoons vegetable oil – $0.10

The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed and will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. To learn more about how I price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in September 2024.

How To Make Homemade Playdough

Mix and Cook Dough

1. In a large pot, whisk together flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
2. Stir in water and vegetable oil. 
3. Heat the dough mixture on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the dough thickens and forms a cohesive dough. 

Cool and Knead

1. Remove the playdough from the heat, transfer to plastic wrap, and let it cool. 
2. Once cool enough, knead until smooth.

Divide and Color

1. Divide the dough into portions and place in a Ziploc bag. Add 4-5 drops of food coloring to each. 
2. Knead until the color is even.

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

Recipe FAQs

What if my playdough is too sticky?

If the dough is too sticky, try adding small amounts of flour while kneading until it reaches the desired consistency.

Can you rehydrate Play-Doh?

You can try to make the playdough soft again by adding one drop of water at a time. Knead the playdough until it becomes smooth as you add the water. Another strategy is to wrap the playdough in a damp paper towel. Then, place it in a container with a tight lid and let it sit overnight.

Is homemade playdough safe for toddlers?

Yes, it’s made with non-toxic, edible ingredients, but it’s not meant to be eaten in large quantities.

Can I microwave the playdough instead of using a stovetop?

No, this recipe works best on the stovetop for even cooking and perfect texture.

Recipe Variations:

•  Add some glitter to the Ziploc bag for a fun mix-in.
• Add your favorite scent to the playdough. Essential oils work well, too.

More Recipes Kids Can Make

• Pancake Bites
• Oreo Milkshake
• Frosted Lemonade
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Yogurt Drink

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Homemade Playdough Recipe

Recipe Cost $1.77

Discover the easiest homemade playdough recipe that stands out from the rest! This quick and foolproof tutorial lets your kids take charge, crafting soft, long-lasting playdough with simple ingredients you already have at home.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Craft

Cuisine: American

Keyword: playdough

Servings: 2 pounds

Author: Jess Jankowski

Equipment

• large heavy-bottomed pot
• measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• whisk
• Wooden spoon
• mixing bowl
• Quart-sized Ziploc bags

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup table salt
• 1 ½ Tablespoon cream of tartar
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 ½ Tablespoons vegetable oil
• Gel food coloring optional
• Glitter optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot whisk together flour, salt, and cream of tarter.
• Pour water and vegetable oil over the flour mixture. Stir until the mixture turns into a thick paste. Make sure you get into the edges of the pot to get any hidden pockets of flour.
• If you’re turning the play dough all one color, then add in the food coloring now.
• Place the pot on a burner and set to medium heat.
• Stir the mixture constantly until it has thickened and starts to form together. Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the play dough to a piece of plastic wrap.
• Cool the mixture until it’s comfortable to handle (especially for the kids). Then knead it until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Determine how many different colors you’re going to turn the play dough. Distribute the play dough to as many quart-sized bags as the number of colors you have.
• Place 4-5 drops of food coloring into the center of a dough ball. Place the dough ball inside of a quart-sized Ziploc-bag and knead until the color is distributed evenly.
• Knead in glitter (if using).
• Now you’re ready to play with the playdough! Keep the dough balls stored in air-tight containers or Zip-loc bags. If properly stored, the playdough will keep for 2-3 months.

Notes

• This recipe makes 2 pounds of dough. 
• Don’t be tempted to increase the stovetop temperature while cooking the play dough. This can cause it to burn or discolor.

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