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Classic cooked playdough

Course DIY
Keyword cream of tartar, homemade playdough, kids crafts, rainy day activities
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
The old-fashioned playdough of flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil and water, cooked until it pulls together.

What You’ll Need

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 2 Tbsp. oil
  • 2 cups water
  • food coloring

Directions

  • Put everything except the food coloring into a saucepan.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring all the time, for about 6 minutes, until the mixture pulls together on the spoon into a dough.
  • Tip the dough onto waxed paper and let it cool until you can handle it.
  • Knead until it feels soft and bendy.
  • Work in food coloring to make different colors.

Notes

Keep in a covered container or plastic bag; no refrigeration needed. Dries out if left open. Readers warn not to skip the cream of tartar (one batch without it molded). Food coloring stains hands while kneading it in; readers suggest gloves or kneading inside a sealed bag.
Safety: NOT a food. Adult does the stovetop cooking; dough is hot. Very high salt content: a taste won't hurt, but do not let kids eat it, and keep it away from dogs (salt dough can cause salt poisoning in pets). Contains wheat.