How to make Playdough Without Cream of Tartar

This easy homemade playdough recipe is the best! It costs less than $5 to make and lasts a long time. Perfect for cutting into shapes with cookie cutters and can be played with again and again. You will love it!

Calling all moms: This is the Best Playdough Recipe!

Hey party people!! I am so excited to share this homemade play dough recipe with you!  There may be a million playdough recipes on the internet but this one is tried and tested. It's one of our favorite boredom busters, along with playing Bingo (we have a set for every holiday) making fun treats like these Minnie Mouse cupcakes, or creating our own Lava Lamps!

I typically double this recipe, split it into four parts and dye them each a different color. Then, I put each one in an air-tight container and they will last for months!

Every mom needs this playdough recipe in their life, so let's get down to the details.

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What you'll need for Homemade Playdough without Cream of Tartar

• Iodized Salt
• Alum
• Food Coloring
• Corn Starch
• Vegetable Oil

Other Handy Things to Have Around:

• Ziplock Bags
• Baby Food Jars (for storing playdough)
• Cookie cutters
• Dough Sculpting Toys

Baby Food Jars

Alum

Food Coloring

How to make Playdough without Cream of Tartar

1.Add all of the ingredients except food coloring to a large saucepan and stir with a whisk over medium heat.

2. When it's thickened, switch to a wooden spoon.

3. Separate into 4 sections and put each section into a ziplock bag. Add a different color of food coloring to each bag.

4. Zip the bag and knead the food coloring into the playdough.

Alternative: If you don't want to use plastic bags, you can put each section of dough onto a cookie sheet or some parchment paper and knead the food coloring into the dough that way.

My little ones love to help make this... especially the kneading part! I was totally shocked at how good my 3 year old was at it the first time I let him try!

How to make this Easy Homemade Playdough last longer

The key to keeping play dough longer, is to keep it in air-tight containers. I like to use these baby food jars  because they're cute and they really do keep it from drying out. I honestly use baby food jars for everything.

Speaking of little ones, this recipe is totally safe to ingest. I don't know if I'd call it edible because it's not tasty, but it is totally safe for your little ones if they do decide to eat it so no need to worry!

Tips for making this Playdough Recipe Without Cream of Tartar

• Consistency Matters: Achieving the right consistency is crucial for successful playdough. Add the liquid ingredients gradually while mixing until you reach a smooth, pliable dough. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a bit more water or oil until you achieve the desired texture.
• Experiment with Colors and Scents: Add food coloring or liquid watercolors to the dough to create vibrant colors, or incorporate essential oils or extracts for delightful scents. This not only makes the playdough visually appealing but also enhances the sensory experience for children.
• Store Properly: Store homemade playdough in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags to prevent it from drying out. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and check periodically for signs of drying or mold growth. If stored properly, homemade playdough can last for several weeks or even months.

Ways to play with Homemade Playdough

Playing with homemade playdough offers endless possibilities for creativity and fun! Here are several ways to play with homemade playdough:

• Sensory Exploration: Allow children to explore the texture and smell of the playdough using their hands. Squishing, rolling, and shaping the dough helps develop fine motor skills and sensory awareness.
• Imaginative Play: Encourage imaginative play by providing tools and props such as cookie cutters, rolling pins, plastic knives, and molds. Children can use these tools to create various shapes, animals, or objects, fostering creativity and storytelling.
• Color Mixing: Experiment with mixing different colors of playdough together to create new shades. This activity not only teaches color theory but also provides an opportunity for sensory exploration and creativity.

So what do you think? Will you give it a try?!

If you try this we'd love if you would leave a comment and positive review! They mean so much to us!

This recipe was originally published in June 2015, and has been updated with new pictures, a video and more detailed information.