In our home, we make a lot of play dough. In fact, we’ve never actually purchased play dough for Samuel! Making it is super fun, easy, inexpensive, and it’s easy for little ones to get involved in the process. There are endless possibilities with play dough. Currently, Samuel’s favourite way to play with it is by pretending he’s making Chinese dumplings–bao–and pinching the tops together before “steaming” them.
Play dough can be used for learning skills such as counting, letters, and can help children in mastering fine motor skills. It’s an open-ended activity, which means little ones can use their imaginations to come up with so many different ways to play with it.
Homemade play dough lasts for so long when it’s stored properly. Our last batch is 11 months old (I made it for Samuel while we were in quarantine with Covid this past spring) and is still able to be used. Essential oils also add a wonderful scent to the dough, and can promote calm moods.
Here’s our favourite recipe. Feel free to add glitter & essential oils or not! If you’re looking to make several colours, make the dough without any colouring. Then once it’s cooked, divide into separate balls and add your food colouring directly to the balls. You will have to knead them well to incorporate the colour.
Homemade Play Dough
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups water
- liquid or gel food colouring (the amount is totally your preference!)
- 1 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (can use vegetable, or coconut oils as well)
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2-3 tbsp glitter (optional)
- 5-15 drops essential oils of choice (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except essential oils & glitter) to a large saucepan. Mix to combine.
- Once mixed, place saucepan over medium heat. Use a spatula to stir until the dough turns into a ball. At this point, if your colour is not as vibrant as you had hoped, feel free to add more colouring.
- As soon as the dough forms into a ball, remove from heat and cool on parchment paper.
- Once your playdough has cooled to the touch, add your essential oils and knead until combined.
- Next, make a well in the middle of the play dough. Add your glitter to the well, and bring the sides up over the glitter. Begin to knead, working the glitter into the dough. If any glitter falls out in the process, work it back in.
- There you go! Your play dough is complete. Enjoy! Be sure to store in an airtight container. It will last a very long time! If you find it begins to dry out a bit, add a tablespoon of oil and knead it in.
