How to Make Playdough : The No Cook Recipe

As an educator, playdough has been one of my classroom staples for two decades now and something that I have enjoyed making with my kids. I have tried every playdough recipe to learn how to make playdough and swear by the no cook recipe as it is so easy peasy.

The Best Playdough Recipe

Table of Contents

The key to making the best playdough is to not overthink the process. It is very simple to make playdough and you are likely to have the majority of ingredients in your cupboard ready to go. Just make sure to buy Cream of Tartar in the spice aisle when you are next at the grocery store.

Many playdough recipes suggest that you use the cooktop or microwave during the creation of the playdough. As I am usually working with kids when creating our playdough recipes, I do not do this and use a no cook playdough recipe that has never failed.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cooking oil
4 tablespoons Cream of Tartar
2 cups plain flour
1 cup salt
Food colouring
2 cups hot water
optional: Cooking Scents

Method

Ass the Flour, Salt and Cream of Tartar to a large bowl and mix. Add the cooking oil and mix. Pour the water straight into the bowl and stir. Due to the heat, wait a few minutes before pouring the mixture onto the table and knead.

Continue kneading until all ingredients are mixed. Divide into quarters and roll into balls (so you have four). Add a few drops of food colouring to each ball (I usually compress my thumb into the ball, add the drops of food colouring, and then knead).

If you have food-safe scents, add a few drops once the food colouring has been mixed into each ball.

Voila! You know have playdough!

Do you need cream of tartar to make playdough?

Technically no, but if you want smooth playdough that lasts I highly recommend adding this to your playdough.

How do I store playdough so it lasts?

Oxygen is the foe of all playdough. It won’t really both the playdough when you are playing with it, especially if you are giving it a good knead. However, left out with no interaction, your playdough will likely become crumbly before going hard.

After using playdough, I place ours in sandwich bags. I leave one side open and squeeze the air out before closing. At school, I glad wrap each ball before storing it in an airtight container.