.png)
Renee Hudlow
Everyday Super-Soft No-Cook Playdough
Updated: Nov 6, 2021
An Oxford Toy Closet original recipe!
Play Dough and Toddlers
Since my daughter reached 18 months, playdough has been a staple in our house. It comes out most days, usually when I need a break or have a task to complete.
She loves the process of making playdough with me just as much as the time she spends playing with it, and I love how simple it is to make!
I can make this recipe in about 10 minutes on my own, or in 15-20 minutes with my helper. (Funny how that works, huh?)
I've seen playdough recommended for 3+ lots of places, but I think it depends on the toddler. We waited until our child had mostly stopped mouthing before introducing it. For us, that was around 18 months.
Making the playdough myself definitely makes me feel more comfortable should she taste it, as I know the ingredient list exactly. That being said, playdough contains significant amounts of salt, which can be dangerous in large doses. It's best to wait to introduce it until toddlers are safely past the "taste everything" stage.
About Our Recipe
For our everyday recipe, we've chosen the no-cook option. While cooked playdough may have a slightly improved texture, I don't think it's enough to warrant the extra work! And, I love that many of the tasks in this recipe can be completed by my toddler.
I've experimented with at least a dozen recipes and played with measurements until I finally settled on this combination. It's super soft, and it lasts for months!
Each of the ingredients plays an important role, so I wouldn't skip any. Sometimes people ask if the cream of tarter is necessary, and it definitely is! It keeps the playdough soft and prevents crumbling. That being said, if you don't have cream of tarter, people sometimes substitute baking powder, as it is a combination of baking soda and cream of tarter.
Optional: Blend the salt
Not a requirement, but it helps the salt dissolve evenly, making the playdough less sticky and grainy. If you skip this step, you may need to add a tad more salt and flour at the end.
Variations
There are so many ways to spice up this basic playdough recipe! You can add:
Spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
Mix-ins like glitter (choose biodegradable!)
Natural flowers or herbs like lavender or rosemary
Extracts like peppermint
Essential oils
Setting up an Invitation to Play
Pairing playdough with accessories encourages engagement and independent play! We suggest:
small containers or bowls
kitchen tools like cookie cutters, wooden knives, spoons, etc.
loose parts like acorns, beads, buttons, rocks, pipe-cleaners, feathers, etc.
Everyday Super-Soft No-Cook Playdough Recipe!
Materials
Plastic mixing bowl
Kettle or pot to boil water
Silicone spatula for mixing
Old jars, tupperware, silicone bags, or ziplock bags for storage
Ingredients
1 cup of flour
2 tsp of cream of tarter
1/4 a cup of salt blended (*optional, but add 1/2 tbs of both salt and flour if you omit blending)
1/2 cup boiling water
Food coloring (15-20 drops)
1 tbs. oil
Directions
Measure out the dry ingredients and mix together.
Boil the water. (You will want to boil more than 1/2 cup, as some will evaporate.) Measure out 1/2 cup of water, and mix in the food coloring.
Add the colored water and oil to the dough. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for 5-7 minutes. The dough will start out sticky, but after kneading, it should be a good texture. If not, see below!
Troubleshooting
If your dough is still sticky after kneading, it is too moist. You can reduce the moisture by adding in 1/2 tbs. of salt and 1/2 tbs. of flour. If needed, you can continue adding flour in small increments till it reaches the consistency you desire.