Make Your Own: Playdough

Don't want to buy playdough? Afraid that your child will eat it? Want another activity you can do together? Make your own! It is easier than you might think and you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry! It is completely safe and non-toxic. I'm sure it will taste pretty gross, but it is non-toxic!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour


• 3 cups water


• 1 cup salt


• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil


• 2 Tablespoon cream of tartar


• food coloring or unsweetened powdered drink mix


• glitter (optional - omit if you think it may get eaten)

Make the Dough:

Mix all of the ingredients together in a metal bowl or saucepan and stir over low heat. As the dough begins to thicken, it will pull away from the sides and clump in the center. When it is no longer sticky, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle.

Turn the dough out onto a clean counter or silicone pastry mat, and knead until it becomes smooth. Divide the dough into balls for coloring. Poke a hole in the center of the ball, and drop some food coloring and glitter in. Fold the dough over, working the color and glitter through the ball of dough (you might want to wear plastic gloves for this part). Start with a small amount of color and add more until you get the shade you want.

Tips:

• Concentrated paste dyes used in cake decorating will give you nice deep, vibrant colors. I used Wilton dyes for the dough shown.


• Unsweetened powdered drink mix will make your dough scented as well! you may need to go heavy on the mix to get rich color.