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Home » Crafts

The Best Homemade Playdough Recipe

Published Aug 7, 2017 by Allyson · 250 Comments
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The BEST Homemade Playdough - I have tried every recipe and this is by far the best! Lasts 3+ months, coloring does NOT stain hands, and it's super easy!

The BEST Homemade Playdough - I have tried every recipe and this is by far the best! Lasts 3+ months, coloring does NOT stain hands, and it's super easy!

Over the years I have tried at least 10 Homemade Playdough recipes, and some have been big hits, and some have been big misses.  I feel like I have finally figured out the best recipe for Best Homemade Playdough, and I am going to share it with you!! It is pretty easy, and involves ingredients that you likely have at home all the time (except maybe you don't have cream of tartar...maybe...).  

This recipe is quick, yields a lot of playdough, and the playdough actually stays good for a long time.  This would work great as a class activity for kids, or as a home activity for kids.  It really is a great indoor activity!

How to make Homemade Playdough 

**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**

In a medium saucepan, add 1 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of cream of tarter, and ⅓ cup of salt (the salt keeps it from sticking and also helps preserve it). 

Homemade Playdough

Next, add 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Homemade Playdough

Turn your burner on medium/low and stir. It will be a little lumpy and that's fine

Homemade Playdough

Before it starts getting thick (this is going to happen fast, so be ready) you want to add whatever color Food Coloring you want. If it gets to thick before you add it, it's hard to get an even color. Add the color and stir!

Homemade Playdough

Keep stirring, it is going to start thickening up.  This could take anywhere from 30 seconds-2 minutes depending on how hot your pan/stove is.

homemade playdough

Now you can see it's getting thicker, keep stirring, and keep scraping the bottom of the pot.

Now the clumps are coming in! Getting thicker...

Keep stirring and scraping the bottom

Homemade Playdough

Once you notice the dough isn't wet anymore, take it out of the pot.

Homemade Playdough

Like I said, the whole process shouldn't take more than a few minutes. it goes really fast, and even faster when you make additional batches because the pot/stove is already warm.  

Put the dough on some wax paper and allow to cool (30 minutes or so).  Then take the ball in your hands and knead for a few seconds (like 30 seconds).  

Store in a zip-lock bag or airtight container IN THE FRIDGE.  

It shouldn't dry out, but if you notice it getting a bit dry you can add a few drops of water and knead that into the dough. You can also add a drop or 2 of scented essential oil to make the playdough smell great!

The BEST Homemade Playdough - I have tried every recipe and this is by far the best! Lasts 3+ months, coloring does NOT stain hands, and it's super easy!

I just love all the colors! 

The BEST Homemade Playdough - I have tried every recipe and this is by far the best! Lasts 3+ months, coloring does NOT stain hands, and it's super easy!

Don't forget to order some sweet playdough cutting toys to go along with your new playdough! I love this Alphabet Dough Cutter Kit

Things you might need for this recipe - Click to shop below:

  • Alphabet Dough Cutter Kit
  • Food Coloring
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Nonstick Pot
  • Cream of Tartar 
  • Wax paper
  • Zip Lock Storage Bags

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4.98 from 41 votes
Print
The BEST Homemade Playdough
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
8 mins
 

The BEST Homemade Playdough – I have tried every recipe and this is by far the best! Lasts 3+ months, coloring does NOT stain hands, and it’s super easy!

Servings: 1 ball
Ingredients
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoon cream of tarter
  • ⅓ cup salt
  • 1 TBS vegetable oil
  • gel food coloring
Instructions
  1. Mix together all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in a medium saucepan.

  2. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring. Once it begins to thicken, add the food coloring.

  3. Continue stirring until the mixture is much thicker and begins to gather around the spoon.

  4. Once the dough is not wet, remove and put onto wax paper or a plate to cool.

  5. After cooling (30 minutes) knead playdough for a few seconds.

  6. PLAY and Store in an airtight container in the fridge!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

The above will make you ONE large ball of playdough. I usually make it repeatedly for however many colors I want (so if you want 6 big balls, know that you will need 6 times the ingredients listed above, but you need to make them separately).

The BEST Homemade Playdough - I have tried every recipe and this is by far the best! Lasts 3+ months, coloring does NOT stain hands, and it's super easy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Muma to 4

    May 25, 2020 at 12:41 am

    5 stars
    This is fantastic!! We did use lemon juice though as I was out of cream of tarter. I add it to my water to not over do my liquid. But the texture is the best yet!
    We also add a little flavoring for a great scent, and multi sensory experience.
    Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
  2. Teetine

    September 04, 2020 at 10:45 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe. Maybe my son will be very love it. thanks you.

    Reply
  3. Angelica

    September 27, 2020 at 11:21 pm

    5 stars
    Looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it. And now that I know you’re in the same area as I am, I’m dying to meet you in person!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      September 28, 2020 at 11:59 am

      You will LOVE IT! Such a small world! Where abouts do you live?! Feel free to email me- Allyson@DomesticSuperhero.com

      Reply
  4. Kelli S.

    October 06, 2020 at 11:16 am

    Do I use all purpose flour or self rising ?

    Reply
    • Allyson

      October 07, 2020 at 8:06 am

      I use all purpose but it probably doesn't matter with this playdough.

      Reply
  5. Dandre

    October 18, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    5 stars
    This is my go to playdough recipe. Turns out perfect every time and stores really well for lots of use!

    Reply
  6. Project Mom

    October 25, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    I made this with my son for his third grade project. Worked out perfectly! Thank you for such a simple, quick, and fun recipe!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      October 26, 2020 at 12:08 pm

      So happy you loved it as much as we do! It really is the best!

      Reply
  7. Lisa

    November 01, 2020 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this website.I find it inspirational. For the lazy, could this be made in the food processor?
    Cheers…

    Reply
    • Allyson

      November 02, 2020 at 11:19 am

      Hi, no..this needs to be made on the stovetop bu luckily it takes less than 5 mins and only one pan.

      Reply
  8. Felipa

    December 06, 2020 at 9:16 pm

    5 stars
    Love it! I love how bright your colors came out too! When you smoosh them all together, did they become brown or just swirly rainbow?

    Reply
    • Allyson

      December 07, 2020 at 9:37 am

      No they don't turn brown!!!

      Reply
  9. Kym

    December 29, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    Can this play dough be baked hard and painted?

    Reply
    • Allyson

      December 29, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      I have never tried to use it that way. I do have a salt dough ornament recipe though, if you want to use that as it's intended.

      Reply
  10. Kristy

    January 30, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    How long do I leave it in the fridge? I plan on bringing this to my class for next week but I want it to last to use throughout the year.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      February 01, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      Mine has lasted 6+ months in the fridge!

      Reply
  11. MeiPeng

    April 25, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is PERFECT. I reduce cream of tartar to 1 tsp and it just nice. I save a lof of money after making playdoh with this recipe. Many thanks.

    Reply
    • Allyson

      April 26, 2021 at 11:59 am

      You are so welcome! definitely saves a lot of money!!!

      Reply
  12. Dana

    July 29, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe! Made it a few times now and it comes out great every time!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      August 02, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      It is the BEST for sure!

      Reply
  13. Kenny

    August 03, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    5 stars
    So amazing! Feels just like the real thing. Made one batch 5 months ago that is still in perfect condition, and my daughter plays with it at least 3x a week. Just finished a second batch with more colors and came out absolutely perfect again! This recipe is a keeper for sure!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      August 04, 2021 at 9:54 am

      Yay! So happy you love it as much as we do! I am going to share your comment on my Facebook page! Thank you!

      Reply
  14. Christy Horan

    August 10, 2021 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! My toddler loves making and playing with this playdoh! It’s a simple and fast recipe to make! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      August 11, 2021 at 10:22 am

      You are so welcome! I am so glad you love it as much as we do!!

      Reply
  15. helena

    September 12, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    great recipe! just wondering- would you be able to add the food coloring to the water instead?

    Reply
    • Allyson

      September 13, 2021 at 2:04 pm

      I haven't tried it that way, but I think it would work the same 🙂

      Reply
  16. Ron

    September 26, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    Just used this recipe and it worked fantastically! 🙂

    Reply
    • Allyson

      September 27, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      So happy to hear that, Ron!

      Reply
  17. Amanda

    September 30, 2021 at 1:51 am

    5 stars
    This recipe works perfectly for me every time. I usually add some essential oils or spices in with the food coloring. Today I made a pumpkin spice dough and a YL Theives dough. I put them in Pyrex containers on their art/sensory shelf in our playroom for storage. My girls love it!

    Reply
    • Allyson

      September 30, 2021 at 11:00 am

      That i a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
  18. Chordia Jewels

    December 06, 2021 at 2:43 am

    5 stars
    The article is fantastic and engaging. My gaze was drawn to it. Reading your writings has become one of my favorite thing to do. Thanks for the information you've provided in your blog; it's been really useful in getting me to start writing my blogs. Thanks for the information you've provided in your blog; it's been very beneficial to me.

    Reply
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