How to Make Play Dough on the Stove

Children can help mix while making play dough, for a fun family activity.

Play dough can fill many hours of children's time, allowing them to sculpt and mold any shapes that come to their imagination. Homemade play dough is made with ingredients available at most grocery stores, and can be made in all of your children's favorite colors. Play dough can be stored and played with again and again, or it can be left out to dry overnight to preserve your children's creations.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Large pot
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. cooking oil
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 cup of salt
• Plate
• Plastic container with lid

Instructions

1. Mix several drops of food coloring in water, stirring thoroughly. You can leave the dough white and dye small portions of the finished dough with food coloring, if you prefer.

2. Pour the colored water into the pot and stir in the rest of the ingredients.

3. Cook at medium-high heat until the play dough thickens, stirring constantly. This should take less than 10 minutes.

4. Remove the dough from the pot and allow it to cool on a plate. Store in a lidded plastic container when not in use.

Tips & Warnings

• Make play dough in many different colors to create many different figures.

• If the play dough accidentally gets a little too dry, add some water to bring it back to life.

• Play dough mixture is very hot on the stove. Do not allow children to play with it before it cools.

• Do not allow children to make play dough on the stove without adult supervision.

• The food coloring in the play dough can stain clothes, carpeting or furniture.

References

• Creative Kids at Home: Homemade Playdough for Children
• Playdoughrecipe.com: Cooked Playdough Recipe