Homemade Playdough for children

Kids are amazed when they learn how easy it is to make playdough with this kids activity. The children can store their playdough air tight containers, or left to air dry to save a finished creation. Recipes for modeling clay and playdough:

Cooked (flour and salt)
Cooked (baking soda and corn starch)
Uncooked (flour and salt)
Kool-aid Playdough
Oatmeal Clay
Cornstarch Clay
Cornstarch Clay 2
Group Projects for Playdough

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Cooked Playdough (flour and salt)

3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp cream of tarter
3 tbsp oil
3 cups water

1. Dissolve salt in the water.
2. Pour all ingredients into a large pot.  
3. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides.  
4. Knead the dough mixture until the texture matches playdough (1-2 minutes).

Store in plastic container.  Should last for at least 3 months.

NOTE:  This recipe is made from edible ingredients and not toxic in small amounts for children.  However, a dog got sick after eating a batch of playdough.  It is not intended as a food item.  Please be sure to put it away after your children have finished playing.  

Notes from Visitors:

• After my cousins and I made playdough, we played with it and didn't put away.  In the morning it was dried. I added a little bit of water to it and it turned soft again.
• I decided to just let my playdough creation dry naturally in a window in the sunshine. It is almost dry now. A few cracks developed, but I just filled them in with playdough and smoothed them over. I kept turning the totem pole to let the sun hit it from all sides.

Cooked Playdough (baking soda and corn starch)

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
3/4 cup water

Have your child mix the baking soda and corn starch in a pot.  Use hands to make sure all the lumps are broken up.  Add water.  The adult should put the pan on the stove over medium heat and stir constantly.  As soon as the mixture gathers together, remove from the heat.  When it cools, have your child knead it into a smooth playdough.

Note: Don't over cook this playdough or it will crumble when the children use it.

Alternative Recipe for childrens playdough

2 cup cornstarch
2 cup baking soda
1 1/4 cup cold water

Gradually add water till smooth. Heat, stirring constantly until mashed potato consistency. Turn onto plate, cover with damp cloth, let cool. Knead dough.

Uncooked Playdough (salt and flour)

1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Have your child mix the flour and salt in a bowl then add water.  Knead and squeeze the dough to make a clay consistency.  You may need to add more water.

Note: Your child will find that this playdough doesn't last as long as the cooked recipes.

Kool-Aid Play Dough

The children will love the smell of this playdough!

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups boiling water
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water.  Wearing gloves, knead for 10 minutes. Store in zip lock bag in refrigerator.

Notes:  

1. Your hands may smell of the Kool-Aid flavor even with gloves.
2. Kool-Aid is a powdered drink mix sold in North America.  Parents just add sugar and water to make the drink.  The powder has both flavoring and color which makes it great for this craft.

Oatmeal Clay

1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup water

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl.  Add more flour if necessary for the dough to form a lump. Have the children knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth. You can add food coloring to the water before mixing the dough, or divide it into balls and add the coloring after the children mix and knead it.

Your children's finished crafts can air dry overnight.

Note: Children can store the clay in the refrigerator in a ziplock bag for up to 3 days.

Cornstarch Clay 1 (Porcelain type)

Ideal for items under 3/4" thick

2 cups (500 ml or .5 liter) cornstarch
2 cups (500 ml or .5 liter) baking soda
11/4 cups (310 ml) cold water

In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and baking soda. Gradually add water until the mixture is smooth. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a moist mashed-potato consistency.

Turn onto a plate, cover with a damp towel. Knead clay when cool enough to handle. Clay is now ready to shape into craft projects.

• children can add food coloring to make different colors.
• roll out the dough into 1cm thick (under 1/2 inch) and have children make hand prints.
• takes a long time to air dry or dry in a warm oven (200F) but it may brown a bit.
• clay may crack if items too thick or bulky

Cornstarch Clay 2

1/3 cup cornstarch 
1/4 cup white glue

Mix completely.  Add extra corn starch or glue to get a workable consistency.

Store in plastic baggie.  Should last for months with no mold.

• Projects can be air dried.
• Try rolling out very thinly, then leave over night.  In the morning use punchies to create designs before it is completely dry.
• Dries like china.

Craft Ideas

• Divide into sections, then knead in food coloring (liquid or paste).
  Kids love making the white playdough change colors.
• Liquid food coloring will work to color play dough, but it's hard to get really good colors. I use paste food coloring (available in cake decorating stores, or section of craft store). They look more expensive than liquid, but you use tiny amounts to get great colors. They last for years.
• Use unsweetened Kool-Aid for color and scent.  Kool-Aid is a powdered drink mix sold in North America.  Parents just add sugar and water to make the drink.  The powder has both flavoring and color which makes it great for this craft.
• Add glitter for sparkly playdough.

Here's an idea from one of our visitors.

“If you add vanilla extract to homemade playdough, it helps preserve the
dough, prevent mold, and makes it smell nice. Peppermint extract works too.”
Betty

Playdough Ideas for Groups

Make up a large batch of playdough, and divide it into balls (about 1/3 of a cup).  Each ball should be enough for one child to easily handle and work with.  Put the ball in one hand, and use the fingers of the other hand to make a small impression in the center of the ball.  Add a bit of food coloring, and then carefully cover it over with white playdough.

When you've finished with the balls, put them in baggies, or put in them all in a large plastic container with a lid.  Let them sit overnight.

The next day, give each child one ball and have them start kneading it.  The children will watch in amazement as they turn their white playdough into a colorful ball.  

Thanks to Rachel D. for reminding us about a great activity for a large group of children.

 

Note for Parents:

Every parent must use their own judgment in choosing which activities are safe for their own children. While Creative Kids at Home makes every effort to provide activity ideas that are safe and fun for children it is your responsibility to choose the activities that are safe in your own home.

Send us a note if you have any questions.

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