9 Best Homemade Playdough Recipes

Playing with playdough is one of the best sensory activities to do with your kids, it will provide hours of sensory play as well as helping to fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and encourage creativity. Making your own playdough is super simple and little hands will love to help too. We’ve compiled a list of 8 of the best playdough recipes to get you started, from edible playdough to dandelion playdough there’s plenty here to keep you busy.1. Edible Playdough RecipeThis is a great recipe for younger children who like to explore by putting things in their mouths. It’s completely safe if they have a taste- or two!You’ll need:50g Icing Sugar200g MarshmallowsFood Colouring Paste (you can use liquid food colouring but will need some extra icing sugar to hand to stop it from getting too sticky)How to make your edible play dough:Place the marshmallows in a microwaveable bowl and melt in the microwave for 40 seconds in total, in 10-second bursts- stirring in betweenAdd the sugar to the bowl a spoonful at a timeLightly dust a work surface with icing sugar and add the doughAdd more of the icing sugar into the centre of the dough and fold it inContinue to fold and knead, adding more icing sugar if needed until you have a good consistency doughAdd the food colouring paste and knead until its all combined and you’ve got your desired colourYour edible playdough is ready! Thanks to Rainy Day Mum for this recipe!2. Playdough - With Cream of TartarThis is a great playdough recipe, with cream of tartar to help add elasticity it will sure to be a big hit with the kids!You’ll need:200g Plain Flour150g Salt200ml Water1tbsp Cream of Tartar1tbsp OilA pinch of Food Colouring PasteOptional: 50ml Hand Cream or Moisturiser (helps to protect your hands as the salt in the dough can leave your hands quite dry)How to make your playdough:Add the flour, salt, water, cream of tartar, oil and food colouring to a panOver a low heat stir with a wooden spoon until its combinedTransfer to a work surface- If you’re adding hand cream, knead this is nowYour playdough is ready!When you’re finished, store your playdough in an airtight container in the fridge.3. Playdough-Without Cream Of TartarIf don’t have cream of tartar in your store cupboards, this is a great, easy to make playdough recipe to try.You’ll need:4 Cups of Flour1 1/2 Cups of Salt2 tbsp Vegetable Oil1 Cup of WaterA Few Drops of Food ColouringHow to make your playdough:In a large bowl add the flour, salt and oil and mix until its all combinedNext, add the water and food colouring and mix with a spoonTransfer to a lightly floured work surfaceKnead the dough until you’re happy with the consistencyYour playdough is ready to play!When you’re finished, store your playdough in an airtight container in the fridge.4. Make Playdough - Salt FreeThis is a great playdough recipe if you want to avoid using salt which can dry out little hands.You’ll need:2 Cups of Plain Flour1/4 Cup Vegetable OilA Few Drops of Food ColouringWaterHow to make your playdough:In a large bowl add the flour and oil until its combinedIn a separate bowl add food colouring to a little waterAdd the food colouring to the doughAdd a teaspoon of water at a time and mix until you have the right consistencyTransfer to a lightly floured work surface and knead the doughYour playdough is ready to play!When you’re finished, store your playdough in an airtight container in the fridge. 5. Dandelion PlaydoughSpring has sprung which means you’ll find dandelions popping up everywhere. Use these to naturally dye your playdough with this super simple spring themed playdough recipe.You’ll need:Big Handful of Dandelions1/4 Cup of Boiled Water1 Cup Salt2 Cups FlourSplash of Vegetable OilHow to make your dandelion play dough:Collect your dandelionsAdd the dandelions and water to a blender and whizz until completely blendedIn a large bowl add the blended dandelions to the vegetable oil and salt and mix wellAdd the flour and mix until combinedTransfer to a work surface and continue to knead until your happy with the consistencyYour dandelion playdough is ready!6. Salt DoughIt doesn’t get much easier than this salt dough recipe. All you need is flour and salt and you’ll have the perfect playdough.You’ll need:1 Cup of Flour1/2 Cup of SaltWaterMethod:In a large bowl add the salt and flour and mix togetherAdd water a little at a time until it forms a doughLightly dust your work surface with a little flour and start kneading your doughRoll out your dough using a rolling pinLet it air dryNow you’re ready to play!When you’re finished, store your salt dough in an airtight container7. Bubble Bath PlaydoughBath time will be even more fun with this bubble bath playdough. You’ll need:1/4 Cup of Bubble Bath1/2 - 3/4 Cup of Cornflour1 tsp Coconut OilA Couple of Drops of Food ColouringHow to make bubble bath playdough:In a large bowl add the bubble bath and food colouringMelt the coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds then add it to the bubble bathAdd the cornflour- start with 1/2 cup, mix it in well - if your playdough doesn’t all come together then add another 1/4 cup of cornflour.Your bubble bath playdough is ready! It will keep in an airtight container for up to a week. Thanks to Steam Powered Family for this recipe!8. Sand Textured PlaydoughTry out new textures with this sand textured playdough. You’ll need:1/2 Cup of Sand1/2 Cup of Cornflour1/2 Cup of Boiling WaterHow to make your Sand Textured Playdough:In a large bowl add all of the ingredients together and mix them wellKnead until you’re happy with the consistency- if it’s too wet try adding a little more cornflour.9. Galaxy PlaydoughThis galactic playdough is out of this world!You’ll need:2 cups plain flour2 cups waterBlack and blue food colouring1 tbsp. cooking oil1 tbsp. cream of tartar1 cup saltGlitter, sequins, gems and anything sparklyHow to make your galaxy playdough:Slowly heat up water, oil and food colouring in a saucepan over a low heat (you want your playdough to be the colour of a night sky so add food colouring until it reaches your desired colour)In a separate bowl combine the flour, cream of tartar and saltSlowly add the dry ingredients to your liquid and keep stirring until the mixture thickens into a doughKeep heating until it develops a slight sheen and then remove from heat to let coolWhen it’s cool enough to handle, knead until it feels like the right consistencySprinkle your glitter, sequins etc. onto the table or work surface and your child can work these pieces into the playdough as they play - this will turn it into a mesmerising galaxy!