How to Make Play Dough From Scratch
Play dough for kids is not only a good way to pass time, but it teaches valuable coordination and creative skills. Kids who have a real passion for dough art, however, can go through serious amounts of play dough, making it difficult to keep them supplied with the store-bought stuff. Instead, keep your kids rolling in all the play dough they can use by making your own in the comfort of your own kitchen.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 cups flour
- Food coloring
- 1 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1 cup salt
- Sauce pan
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
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Cooked Dough
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1
Measure 2 cups water into a large saucepan.
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2
Add a couple drops of food coloring to the water. Stir a couple times. Add the oil.
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3
In a bowl, mix together 2 cups of the flour and the cream of tartar using a fork.
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4
Whisk the flour mixture into the water a little at a time. Stir until you get a mixture of a smooth consistency.
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5
Place the saucepan on the stove and set it to medium heat. Cook and stir the mixture until it thickens into a dough. Place the finished dough in the fridge to cool for at least 30 minutes before use.
Uncooked Dough
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6
Measure 2 cups water into a mixing bowl. Add a couple drops of food coloring and stir it to disperse it.
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7
Add the flour and salt to the bowl.
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8
Mix the ingredients in the bowl with your hands to form a rough dough. Pull the dough from the bowl and knead it in your hands until it's smooth and has an even consistency.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When not using the dough, place it in a resealabe plastic container to keep it from drying out. The dough will dry out over time, but you can slow this process by storing a damp paper towel inside the plastic container along with it.
References
- "Making Toys for Preschool Children: Using Ordinary Stuff for Extraordinary Play;" Linda G. Miller and Mary Jo Gibbs; 2002
Resources
- Photo Credit Polka Dot/Polka Dot/Getty Images
