How to Make Playdough With Flour Without Using Cream of Tartar

Make your own play dough without the use of cream of tartar.

Play dough is a favorite childhood crafting medium for many children. The clay-like constancy requires little effort to squeeze and mold into fun shapes and designs, making it easy enough for young children and fun for older children, as well. Most homemade versions require the use of flour and cream of tartar. However, numerous recipes do not require cream of tartar. Using ingredients you have in your kitchen to create your own homemade play dough for your kids.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable oil
• Liquid food coloring
• Flour
• Salt
• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Frozen berries
• Zip top bag
• Saucepan
• Sieve

Instructions

Basic Recipe

1. Place 4 tbsp. vegetable oil in a bowl. Mix in liquid food coloring and stir until the desired shade is reached. The color will lighten when mixed with the other ingredients.

2. Add 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 1 1/2 cups water.

3. Stir to combine all ingredients. Place the play dough into zip top bags to prevent it from drying out when not in use.

Gingerbread Recipe

1. Place 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 1 tbsp. each ground ginger and cinnamon.

2. Stir to combine.

3. Pour in 2 tbsp. vegetable oil and 1 cup water.

4. Stir all ingredients until smooth. Use the play dough as you usually would. This play dough is edible and tasty.

Frozen Berries Recipe

1. Place 12 oz. frozen berries into a saucepan with 3 cups water. Bring it to a boil. As the water boils, the pigments from the berry dye the water. The type of berry you choose determines the color of the play dough.

2. Pour the berries and water into a sieve and collect the colored water in a large bowl. Discard the berries and any seeds in the sieve.

3. Place 1 cup salt and 2 cups flour in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.

4. Pour 2 cups of the colored berry water and 2 tbsp. vegetable oil into the flour mixture. Stir to combine. Continue to stir for another four minutes over medium heat until the mixture forms a ball. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more berry water.

5. Dump the play dough onto a floured surface. Let it cool until you can handle it. Knead the mixture with your hands until it is smooth and uniform. Store unused play dough in a plastic storage container.

References

• PreKinders: Play Dough Recipes
• Playdough Recipe.com: Berry Playdough