The Best Homemade Playdough Recipe (A Family Secret Ingredient!)

This homemade playdough recipe was a favorite recipe passed down to me by my mom, who got it from a daycare center when I was a child.

This is the best homemade playdough recipe I have ever found.

Homemade playdough is the perfect rainy day activity for kids of all ages. Even older kids and teenagers will have so much fun playing with playdough on a rainy day because it will take them back to their childhood.

Want even more fun? Involve your kids in the cooking process!

Not only is it cheaper (more on that below) than storebought Play-Doh, it is softer, lasts longer, and can be made into literally thousands of different colors and smells.

I have tried to use different DIY playdough recipes, but this one is definitely the best recipe because you get a perfect consistency every time. Other play dough recipes that I have tried have come out a sticky mess.

This recipe makes 4 regular tubs of Play-Doh. If you want to make a double batch just double each of the ingredients. If you want small batches, cut the recipe in half.

Best Homemade Playdough Koolaid Recipe

This recipe uses cream of tartar and Koolaid to make the softest play dough with the perfect consistency each time.

EQUIPMENT

• Large pot
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Stove

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Salt
• 2 Teaspoons Cream of Tartar
• 1 Cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil Vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, coconut oil, etc.
• 1 Packet Kool-Aid (optional see FAQ’s)
• 10 Drops Food Coloring (optional see FAQ’s) See below for more food coloring ideas!

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large pot.
• Add liquid ingredients gradually.
• Mix well.
• Cook over low heat to medium heat until mixture thickens (3-5 minutes), stirring all the time, and forms a ball on the wooden spoon. Note, you don’t want to brown the mixture.
• Allow dough to cool on wax paper or parchment paper for 5-10 minutes.
• Knead the dough until smooth 1-2 minutes.

NOTES

Read the FAQ section for more information on how to color the playdough, store it, and tips for the smoothest texture. 

Homemade Playdough FAQ’s

Why Use Cream Of Tartar In Homemade Playdough?

Cream of tartar helps preserve the playdough (along with the salt) and makes it super silky soft. This homemade playdough recipe is much easier to squish, squeeze, and shape than store-bought playdough because of the cream of tartar.

How Do You Make Your Playdough Different Smells?

To get different playdough smells for kids, you can use coconut oil in the cooking process, or you can use Kool-Aid (see below!)

How Do You Make Your Playdough Different Colors?

For making your playdough different colors you have several options: traditional food coloring drops, gel food coloring, or my secret hack: Kool-Aid packets!

I don’t know what it is about dry Kool-Aid packets, but you get the most vibrant colors! Just add the packet of dry Koolaid right to into the dry ingredients. The best part is that the Kool-Aid is also scented which is an added bonus!

With gel food coloring (you can get gel food coloring), you only need a little food coloring to get brilliant colors. The traditional food coloring will work too, but you will need to put A LOT of drops of color in. If you want an all-natural play dough color, you can use natural color food coloring.

How Long Will My Playdough Last?

In an airtight container (I love Pop containers by OXO) your playdough will last a long time (several weeks). The exact time will vary depending on how long your child plays with the dough and how often, because it will start to dry out each time it is used.

Is Homemade Playdough Safe To Eat?

No, homemade playdough is not safe to eat. The reason is because of the high salt content and/or uncooked flour.

Salt, when ingested in large quantities, can actually be toxic to a baby, child, or adult. Always supervise your child when playing with playdough (homemade or store-bought).

Sensory Play With Playdough For Young Children

Babies and toddlers are not as creative with playdough as an older child might be, so here are some playdough activities to do with your little one (9 months and up).

1. Squish the play dough with their little hands and feet and toes.
2. Mix different colors of playdough together.
3. Put the playdough in a dish and let them poke holes in it with their fingers.
4. Use cookie cutters (make sure they are plastic and not sharp) to press shapes into the playdough.
5. Make balls or other shapes for your child to destroy (this is a classic game in my house) with their hands, a toy hammer, etc.
6. To practice fine motor skills, try to get your little one to pinch the playdough or roll it into a ball or log.

Sensory play is one of the 11 play categories that I use at home to keep my kids interested in their toys!