Homemade Playdough Recipe

Ideas or Inquiries 

Dough play is a great tactile activity that allows children the opportunity to experience sensory input in a fun, whimsical way. 

Vocabulary:

Mix, dissolve, knead, squish

Supplies 

• 2 cups flour 
• ½ cup salt 
• 2 tablespoons Cream of Tarter 
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
• 10-12 drops essential oil (OPTIONAL) 
• 1 ½ cups boiling water 
• Liquid watercolor 
• Big mixing bowl 
• Electric kettle 
• Measuring cups & spoons 
• Mixing spoon 

Directions 

1. Add dry ingredients to mixing bowl and give it a good stir. 
2. Squirt some liquid watercolor into liquid measuring cup, then fill to get 1 ½ cups boiling water. 
3. Add the 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the boiling water. 
4. IF you are adding essential oils, add them to the boiling water cup, too. 
5. Pour the colored boiling water and oil(s) into the dry ingredients. 
6. Stir and mix until it comes together as a dough. It will probably be sticky. 
7. When it’s cool enough for you to handle, turn out onto the counter and knead until smooth and no-longer sticky. 
8. You may need to add a bit of flour as you knead. Check the stickiness of the dough to make sure.