The Easiest Homemade Play Dough

There’s something about play dough that never gets old. Whether you’re a kid rolling out tiny pretend pizzas or an adult who just likes the oddly satisfying feeling of squishing it between your fingers, play dough is one of those simple joys in life. But let’s be real, store bought play dough dries out way too fast, it’s expensive for how little you get, and somehow, half the tub always ends up stuck in the carpet. That’s why homemade play dough is an absolute game changer.

If you’ve never made it before, don’t worry. It’s ridiculously easy, uses ingredients you probably already have, and lasts way longer than the store bought kind. Plus, making it is just as fun as playing with it. You can customize the colors, add fun scents, and even throw in some glitter if you’re feeling fancy.

This is my go-to recipe because it makes the softest, longest lasting play dough, and it doesn’t dry out after one day of use. It also takes less than 10 minutes to make, which means you can whip up a batch anytime the kids need a fun activity.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup salt
• 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Essential oils for scent (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Mix the dry ingredients – In a pot whisk together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. This helps everything mix evenly so you don’t get weird clumps later.
2. Add the wet ingredients – Pour in the water and vegetable oil, then give it a good stir. If you’re making a single color, add your food coloring now. If you want multiple colors, hold off—we’ll mix them in later!
3. Cook it up – Place the pot over medium heat and stir constantly. At first, it’ll look like a weird, goopy mess, but after a few minutes, it’ll start to thicken. Keep stirring until it forms a ball of dough that pulls away from the sides of the pot. That’s when you know it’s ready!
4. Cool and knead – Take the dough out of the pot and let it cool for a few minutes. Knead it for a couple of minutes until it’s smooth and soft. If you’re making multiple colors, divide it into sections and knead a few drops of food coloring into each one.
5. Play and enjoy! – That’s it! Your homemade play dough is ready to use. Hand it over to the kids (or keep it for yourself—no judgment) and have fun!

Making It Extra Fun

One of the best parts about making play dough yourself is that you can customize it however you want. Want sparkly dough? Throw in some glitter! Want it to smell amazing? Add a few drops of essential oils—lavender for a calming effect, peppermint for a fresh scent, or vanilla just because it smells delicious. If you’re feeling really creative, you can even mix in cocoa powder for a chocolate-scented play dough that looks just like brownie batter.

How to Keep Play Dough Soft for Weeks

One of the biggest perks of homemade play dough is that it lasts way longer than the store bought kind. To keep it soft and fresh, store it in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You don’t need to refrigerate it, just keep it at room temperature. If it ever starts feeling dry, knead in a couple of drops of water or vegetable oil, and it’ll be as good as new.

Fun Ways to Play with Play Dough

If you’re looking for ways to keep kids entertained, here are a few fun ideas:

• Dinosaur Fossil Prints – Press little dinosaur toys into the dough to make fossil imprints.
• Pretend Bakery – Roll out “cookies,” make pretend cupcakes, or shape play dough donuts.
• Letter and Number Practice – Roll out the alphabet or use cookie cutters to spell names.
• Construction Zone – Flatten the dough and roll toy cars over it to make tire tracks.
• Marbled Dough Creations – Twist two colors together for a cool tie-dye effect.