How to Make Playdough

Materials You Need: 2 cups plain flour, ½ cup salt, 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, food colouring, 1 to 1½ cups of warm water, bowl, mixing spoon.

What You Can Do Together: Making playdough at home is a cheap, easy, and a fail-safe way to have fun! You can customise it with different colours, glitter or even smells for a more sensory experience. Playdough is so versatile; it can be used for different learning experiences –– and never gets boring!

First, mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil together in a mixing bowl.

Illustration of How to make playdough Step 1 (ADD IMAGE)

Nest, if your dough is going to be all one colour add the food colouring to the warm water as it’s an easier way to get a consistent colour, if not move on.

Illustration of How to make playdough Step 2 (ADD IMAGE)

Then, slowly add the water to the mixing bowl a little at a time. Stirring it until it becomes a combined dough.

Illustration of How to make playdough Step 3 (ADD IMAGE)

Next, knead the dough vigorously until all of the stickiness has gone. If it’s still a little sticky you can add a small dusting of flour to get a perfect consistency.

Illustration of How to make playdough Step 4 (ADD IMAGE)

Finally, if you’re making a few colours, scents or glitter dough, split the dough into equal parts depending on how many types you want. Add the dough to small sandwich bags and add a few drops of food colouring, scent or glitter. The more generous you are the brighter the colour will be. Knead the dough inside the bag so that you don’t dye your hands. Keep kneading until it’s mixed thoroughly.

Illustration of How to make playdough Step 5 (ADD IMAGE)

Store playdough in a covered container or zip lock bag (squeeze out the air) to keep it fresh for months! Store in a cool dry place.

What Your Child is Learning: In this fun activity, your child develops fine motor skills by using fingers and hands more precisely. Your child is having fun and learning a lot with you.