6 Homemade Playdough Recipes
Updated: March 3, 2021
Everyone has a favorite play doh recipe and we've included them here. You'll find the recipes that best suit your needs and the ingredients you have ready.

Everyone seems to have a favorite playdough recipe, and many old favorites have been included here. Some require cooking and some don't; some are meant to be eaten and some are not. Choose the recipe that best suits your needs and the ingredients you have on hand. Store playdough in a covered container or Ziploc bag. If it sweats a little, just add more flour. For sensory variety, use playdough warm or cool as well as at room temperature.
1. Colored Playdough
Materials
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- Food coloring
- Saucepan
- 1 cup flour
Directions
- Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm. Remove from heat and add flour.
- Stir, then knead until smooth. The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to omit this ingredient if you don't have it on hand.
- Store this dough in an airtight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.
2. Kool-Aid Playdough
Materials
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 cups water
- Saucepan
- Food coloring, tempera powder, or Kool-Aid powder for color>/li>
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 2 tablespoons alum
Directions
- Combine salt and water in saucepan and boil until salt dissolves.
- Remove from heat and tint with food coloring, tempera powder, or Kool-Aid.
- Add oil, flour, and alum.
- Knead until smooth.
- This dough will last 2 months or longer.
3. Salt Playdough
Materials
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup flour plus additional flour
- Saucepan
Directions
4. Basic Uncooked Playdough
Materials
Directions
5. Oatmeal Playdough
Materials
Directions
- Mix salt, water, and flour in saucepan and cook over medium heat.
- Remove from heat when mixture is thick and rubbery.
- As the mixture cools, knead in enough flour to make the dough workable.
- Bowl
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cup salt
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil>/li>
- Tempera paint or food coloring
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- In bowl, mix water, salt, oil, and enough tempera paint or food coloring to make a bright color.
- Gradually add flour and cornstarch until the mixture reaches the consistency of bread dough.
- Store covered.
- 1 part flour
- 1 part water
- 2 parts oatmeal
- Bowl
6. Peanut Butter Playdough
Materials
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well and knead until smooth.
- This playdough is not intended to be eaten, but it will not hurt a child who decides to taste it.
- Store covered in refrigerator.
- Your child can make this playdough without help; however, it doesn't last as long as cooked playdough.
- 2 cups peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons honey
- Nonfat dry milk or milk plus flour
- Cocoa or carob for chocolate flavor (optional)
- Edible treats for decoration (Edible glitter is one of our favorite options.)
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix, adding enough dry milk or milk plus flour to reach the consistency of bread dough.
- Add cocoa or carob, if desired.
- Shape, decorate with edible treats, and eat!