Playdough Recipe

Aug 16, 2011 ~  All this rain we’ve been having has required A LOT of creativity to keep the kiddos busy!  We hadn’t made playdough in a while and made some on that really rainy Monday we just had.  The dough hasn’t left the kitchen table for two days now.  One or both of the kids seem to have their hands on it anytime we’re in the kitchen.  I love, love, love this recipe.  Quick and easy as long as you keep a stash of Cream of Tartar around (which is made during wine making.  who knew?  learned that when M asked, “what IS cream of tartar?”  had no idea until we looked it up here.)  I put a towel to create a workspace on one side of our kitchen table and then a cutting board with the playdough and a few tools to start – mini-rolling pin, chopsticks, plastic knife.  The dough is super duper soft, pliable and endlessly entertaining!

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Nov 25, 2009 ~ Never buy that stuff that they sell in the store again!  This playdough recipe is the best secret my neighbor shared with me almost a year ago (endless thanks!).  It takes minutes to make and only requires one (ok, maybe two) ingredients you’ll want to put on your next grocery list.  This dough is so soft, pliable and keeps for months in the fridge.  I make one or two batches at a time, leave a little out for M in a container on her art shelf, store the rest in the refrigerator and refill as needed.  Easy, easy.  Did I mention it’s darn inexpensive to make?  Plus, it only has ingredients from my kitchen that I can pronounce and doesn’t make me consider calling poison control when I see M sneak some in her mouth.  I’ve never bought “that stuff” in the store and never plan on it.

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

3 tablespoons oil

2 cups water

food coloring

Directions

Mix all dry ingredients in large saucepan and set aside.  In a separate bowl, add food coloring to water until desired color is obtained (I use the food color guidelines on the back of the box.  Also, the color you get when mixed with water will appear lighter once it is mixed with the dry ingredients.)  Add oil to colored water, then add liquid to dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Cook “dough” over low-medium heat, stirring constantly.  Dough will begin to thicken and look smooth but keep stirring to get out all the lumps.  Remove from heat when playdough forms into a ball and doesn’t stick to your finger when touched.  Let cool, then knead well until smooth.  Store in a seal tight container in the refrigerator and it will keep for months.

p.s. Why am I sharing this recipe just before Thanksgiving?  For me, playdough is always an easy way to involve M in the kitchen when what I’m cooking isn’t a kid-friendly activity.  She loves using the rolling pins, cookie cutters, muffin pans, etc to “cook” her own playdough concoctions.  Thought you’d appreciate a little help in your own kitchen with this recipe as you busily prepare a wonderful meal for your loved ones.  To you and yours, Happy Thanksgiving!