How to Make Homemade Playdough

If you are looking for a way to entertain the kiddos on a rainy afternoon or just need something to keep them occupied for a few hours, making fresh Playdough can do the trick. By having the children help with the process of making the dough, the actual fun for them starts the moment you get out the bowl. Make a rainbow of colors for even more fun, as the children use the Playdough to become young scuptors. Or make Playdough in colors to coordinate with holidays, such as red and pink for Valentine's Day or brown and yellow in the fall. Once you've made Playdough a couple of times, the kids will start begging you to make it every week.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 2 tbsp. cream of tartar
• Food coloring
• Hot plate or stove

1. Combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tbsp. cream of tartar and 2 tbsp. oil.
2. Add 1 cup water slowly to the flour mixture. Mix until all ingredients are well-blended and form a thick paste. Add a small amount of food coloring to color the dough.
3. Place the Playdough mixture into a pan and cook over medium heat. Stir until dough darkens slightly and becomes stiff.
4. Let the mixture cool slightly. Then knead the dough until it reaches the appropriate consistency.

Tips & Warnings

• Children can learn valuable skills, such as counting, by helping to measure out the ingredients.
• Children love to help knead the warm dough.
• Save the dough in a tightly sealed container or bag to prevent it from drying out.
• Be cautious when having children help around a hot stove.