DIY: Playdough Recipes

What child doesn't love playdough? Here's an easy way to make your own without breaking the bank. These also make fabulous party favors at birthday parties, too, might I add... Following are a variety of recipes, depending on what you're looking for:

Traditional PlayDough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring

Mix all ingredients, adding the food coloring last. Heat over medium heat on the stove, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from the pan and knead until it's smooth. Store in plastic bag or other airtight container.

Earth-Friendly PlayDough

• 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
  
• 1/2 cup salt
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Over low heat, mix ingredients in a saucepan. Once it rolls into a ball, dough is ready. For different colors, add food coloring last while mixing over heat. Store in airtight container.

Kool-Aid PlayDough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
  
• 1/4 cup salt
  
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  
• 1 cup water

Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar & Kool-Aid in medium pot. Add the water and oil. Stir for 3-5 minutes over medium heat. Remove from pot once it forms into a ball. Knead until smooth, place in plastic bag or other airtight container and refrigerate.

(Edible) Jell-O PlayDough

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
• 1 (3-1/2 oz.) package "unsweetened" Jell-O

Over medium heat, mix all ingredients, stirring constantly. Once the consistency is like that of mashed potatoes, remove from heat. Let cool & knead with floured hands. Let cool completely before storing in airtight container.

Peanut Butter PlayDough

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  
• 1/4 cup honey
  
• 1 cup instant nonfat dry milk*

Mix all ingredients until smooth. *If your child has milk allergies, use flour instead of the nonfat dry milk. Do not use for kids with peanut allergies, of course.

Gluten-Free PlayDough

• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cooking oil
• Food coloring, if desired

Mix ingredients; cook over medium heat, and stir for about 3 minutes until mixture forms into a ball. Cool & store in airtight container.

No-Cook ClayDough

• 3 cups flour
  
• 3 cups salt
  
• 3 tablespoons alum

Combine all ingredients and slowly add water, little by little. Mix with a spoon. Continue mixing with your hands until you begin to feel a clay-like texture. If it's too dry, add water; if it's too sticky, add equal parts salt and flour.

Of course, if you would rather purchase playdough, I recommend checking a couple Etsy stores: Tickled Pink and Blue
Moody Gurl
Mama K's
American Green Kids

They offer everything from gluten-free, organic and scented options! I also am a huge advocate of supporting small businesses, too, and always love that they're handmade, of course.

And for those of you who don't like the mess, I'll be bringing you a FREE TUTORIAL next week on creating your own playdough mat!

Happy sculpting & enjoy!