[ADVERT]Kids are bored and want to play. Bought play dough is expensive so let me share with you some inexpensive and great playdough receipes you can make.
Whether you use them for your kids, make for cheap gifts or some fun items to sell at the market, making playdough is easy, fun and costs very little. The kids may even love making it with you
The first recipe is a really easy one which has a great texture. If you pop the finished dough into a zip lock bag (to keep air away) they will last ages.
All measurements are metric.
Uncooked Play Dough
2 cups plain flour
4 Tbsp 'cream of tartar'
2 Tbsp any vegetable oil
1 cup salt
2 cups of boiling water
food colouring
Place all the ingredients into a bowl and mix together. The cream of tartar may cause some fizzing but over time it will mix in well if you keep blending.
Turn out onto a plastic mat or bench (check the dyes won't stain the bench) and knead together well.
If you want to make it really special, add some cosmetic shimmers or cosmetic glitter powder to make it sparkly.
At this point you can add a little fragrance or food flavour if you wish to - just watch it doesn't smell too delicious or they may eat it.
Give to the kids to play with or package up for gifts.
Cooked Playdough
Just a little variance on the above although they are interchangeable - see which you prefer. Some pictures of my cooked playdough are at the bottom of this review.
2.5 cups water
1 1/4 c. salt
1 1/2 tbsp. cream of tartar
5 tbsp. vegetable oil
2.5 cups flour
Food coloring or liquid watercolors (as above)
Mix the first 5 ingredients together in a saucepan until they become basically smooth (don't worry about the little lumps - they will work out).
Place over a gentle heat on the stove and cook, stirring constantly. As the water begins to dry out, it will become sticky and then move through to the 'dough' stage.
When it starts to come away easily from the side of the pan/pot and seems dry squeeze a piece in your fingers. If it has a dough like consistency it is ready.
Tip out and knead until smooth
Microwave Playdough
1 cup flour
1 tbsp oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
food coloring
Mix all ingredients together well and pop in the microwave on high for one minute. Remove and stir, then pop back and cook again on high for 30 seconds, checking constantly for lumps.
Remove when it starts to come away cleanly and look like it is mixed well into dough rather than lumpy liquid.
Rollinto a shape and allow to cool, then knead until it is smooth and lovely to the touch.
Now that you've got the hang of the basics, perhaps you may like to try something a little different:
Soapy Playdough
2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tbsp liquid non toxic paint
1 tbsp liquid soap
1/2 cup water
Combine all dry ingredients together in a bowl.
In another bowl, mix all the wet ingredients.
Then blend the 2 together and knead until they blend to a lovely smooth consistency.
Oatmeal Playdough
Using either of the above recipes, add some oatmeal to give a unique texture. Note - this one will not last as long once you add the oatmeal.
Scented Playdough
Using either of the above recipes - add your own favourite flavour or fragrance to the playdough recipe
Cooked Playdough: looks a little lumpy - but that's OK
Once it's cooked and starts to come away from the side, tip out and knead
Finished dough with colours kneaded through (slightly red hands at this point though as I type) and soft, smooth and elastic dough, ready to play!