Homemade play dough

At C's second birthday party last month I set up a play dough table for the kids. I knew that a group of under-2 year olds wouldn't really be able to follow directions for games, and this seemed like something fun that they could play with at their own pace.

I tried out several recipes, and here is the one I preferred (with a couple of modifications to the directions). We've been playing with it constantly since the party!


Homemade Play Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup salt
1 tbsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup water
Food colouring

1. Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pot.
3. Mix water and food colouring in a measuring cup.
4. Add dry ingredients and water to pot and mix together.
5. Simmer until clay begins to pull away from the pot’s sides.
6. Remove from heat and allow clay to cool in pot. Transfer clay to a cutting board and allow it to cool further until you can knead it comfortably.
7. Knead until smooth. Store in an airtight container.