Make your own play dough!
The most perfect natural play dough recipe, ever!
“ A cake! A snake! A sausage! ” Our toddlers love creating with play dough. It’s an all-round pleaser and great for fine motor development, sensory and creative play. But finding the perfect recipe can be a challenge!
Earlier this year I experimented with a few of the most popular recipes online with mixed results. Then I trialed this recipe I found on an educators’ online FB forum and have always had perfect, long lasting play dough. It’s the two secret extra ingredients!!!
Here is the recipe for Perfect Natural Playdough!
Tips
- Measure all of the ingredients exactly. Don’t guesstimate, you’ll regret it!!
- Let the children help make the dough. SO many great skills to be learnt here! (only if you have the time of course)
- I often make a double batch which is enough for 6 children.
- If you keep it in the fridge, let it warm up before using as it will be crumbly when cold.
Materials Needed
- A big mixing bowl and a small metal bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A metal spoon and a wooden spoon
- Kettle for boiling water
- Apron
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup corn flour
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or oil of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons of glycerine (found in medicine section of supermarket)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup salt
- Optional – natural food colouring, vanilla essence, food grade flavouring eg – orange or peppermint essence.
Method
- Mix both flours and cream of tartar together in a large bowl.
- Dissolve the salt in boiling water. This is easiest done in a small metal bowl. Mix with a spoon.
- Add oil, glycerine and food colouring to the salty water.
- Make a well in the flour mix and pour in the wet mixture.
- Mix with a wooden spoon until combined.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 30 seconds. DONE & DUSTED!
- Store in glass jars with lids or in the fridge.
Extending experiences
The options for play dough activities are endless, but here are a few favourites.
- Shapes cutters, texture rollers, kitchen cutlery, toy cars and plastic animals
- Add natural elements – leaves, sticks, flowers, stones seed pods and shells
- Ingredients to add: oats, herbs, sprinkles, rice, cocoa, eco glitter, salt
- Use recycled containers: jar lids, small trays, plastic containers, paper rolls
- Create laminated play sheets for copying: eg shapes, faces, letters.
- Add paddle pop sticks, wool, googly eyes, cotton buds or toothpicks
- Use with a play tray
Now it just so happens I have a heap of these recipes cards printed out and laminated!!
Perfect for your storeroom or on the fridge!! Would you like one?
Send me an email hello@craftylittlefolk.com. Include your address and I’ll pop one in the post to you.
Perfect natural play dough forever!
Looking for ready-made crafting kits? Head to our shop here.
Jasmine xx
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The Best Natural Playdough Recipe • Natural New Age Mum
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