Easy to Make Play Dough – No Cook Recipe

easy to make play dough recipe homemade no cook

With just a handful of simple ingredients, this easy to make play dough recipe is a fast, no-cook way to make the ultimate sensory base for kids! The best part about making dough is that it can last a really long time – up to 6 months! – and can be used for so many fun learning activities, too.

Sensory Fun with Play Dough

Not only is play dough fun to play with, but it is also super fun to make together! It is an awesome sensory experience mixing all the ingredients together and kneading the dough to form the perfect consistency. I also think that this is a super cool and unique idea for birthday parties as well as a parting gift for each child who attends.

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Skills: Fine Motor Skills

Ages: 12 Months +

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

How-to-Video for this Easy to Make Play Dough!

We’ve been making this play dough recipe for years and it’s always a hit. Just be certain that if you have little hands helping you, that you don’t let them handle the mixture when it’s hot. I even wear gloves myself, taking extra precautions so that I don’t burn my hands either! Full step-by-step instructions and more tips below on how to make this easy to make play dough the best consistency (or salvage a batch that needs some help!).

How-to-Video for this Easy to Make Play Dough!

We’ve been making this play dough recipe for years and it’s always a hit. Just be certain that if you have little hands helping you, that you don’t let them handle the mixture when it’s hot. I even wear gloves myself, taking extra precautions so that I don’t burn my hands either! Full step-by-step instructions and more tips below on how to make this easy to make play dough the best consistency (or salvage a batch that needs some help!).

Easy to Make Play Dough – Tips and Tricks!

Mix while hot, but use caution!

I wear gloves and mix the *very hot* play dough by hand to make sure that the dough is kneaded thoroughly, which spreads the heat, dissolving the granules to make a smooth texture. Don’t have your kiddos do this part!

Why is my batch too sticky?

Too much water was added! If too sticky add a little more flour.

Why is my batch too dry?

Not enough water was added! If too dry add a little more water.

Do I need to add oil?

The coconut oil gives the dough a super silky texture. You could also use glycerine. Alternatively, other vegetable oil will work too, but I’ve found that coconut oil makes it super silky!

What is cream of tartar, and do I need it?

The cream of tartar is a preservative and it makes the play dough have a longer shelf life. You can omit it, but the dough will not last as long!

How can I store and how long does it last?

Play dough can last up to 6 months if stored in a sealed container. We like using 4oz jars as pictured below. But with all things that kid’s touch, there is risk of germs entering once touched, so always be sure to look for mold – seen as black dots. If black dots form, it’s time to throw out!

Easy to Make Play Dough – Tips and Tricks!

Mix while hot, but use caution!

I wear gloves and mix the *very hot* play dough by hand to make sure that the dough is kneaded thoroughly, which spreads the heat, dissolving the granules to make a smooth texture. Don’t have your kiddos do this part!

Why is my batch too sticky?

Too much water was added! If too sticky add a little more flour.

Why is my batch too dry?

Not enough water was added! If too dry add a little more water.

Do I need to add oil?

The coconut oil gives the dough a super silky texture. You could also use glycerine. Alternatively, other vegetable oil will work too, but I’ve found that coconut oil makes it super silky!

What is cream of tartar, and do I need it?

The cream of tartar is a preservative and it makes the play dough have a longer shelf life. You can omit it, but the dough will not last as long!

How can I store and how long does it last?

Play dough can last up to 6 months if stored in a sealed container. We like using 4oz jars as pictured below. But with all things that kid’s touch, there is risk of germs entering once touched, so always be sure to look for mold – seen as black dots. If black dots form, it’s time to throw out!

Materials

1 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/3 cup of fine salt
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar

2 tablespoons coconut oil (optional)
3/4 cup of boiling water
Food coloring
Storage Jars (optional)

1 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/3 cup of fine salt
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
2 tablespoons coconut oil (optional)
3/4 cup of boiling water
Food coloring
Storage Jars (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.

Step 2

Add the coconut oil for a soft and silky texture. You can also use food-grade glycerine.

Step 3

Add food coloring into the 3/4 cup of water.

Step 4

Boil the water. (In my microwave, it takes about 2 minutes to reach best temperature.)

Step 5

Mix the water to the flour mixture, transferring to a flat surface to knead until smooth and not sticky. Don’t miss my note above about wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat!

Step 1

Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.

Step 2

Add the coconut oil for a soft and silky texture. You can also use food-grade glycerine.

Step 3

Add food coloring into the 3/4 cup of water.

Step 4

Boil the water. (In my microwave, it takes about 2 minutes to reach best temperature.)

Step 5

Mix the water to the flour mixture, transferring to a flat surface to knead until smooth and not sticky. Don’t miss my note above about wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat!

Perks of Playing with Play Dough

Play dough is the ultimate sensory play experience. There are a lot of sensory bases available to explore (more on that below), but play dough is such a classic! The kids can mold it, hold it, shape it, and use it to make letters and other fun designs as well. You can also explore color mixing with play dough!

It is also fantastic for strengthening fine motor skills. As they grip and mold, kid’s hands and fingers are getting a great work out! Just think about all the different movements the hands will make in just a short time of playing with play dough – roll, stretch, mold, pinch, push, to name a few!

They can also use it to work their creativity and imagination as well and build and create fun artwork and projects.

I also love to give play dough as gifts to toddlers and preschoolers, often in a themed-kit! For example, dinosaurs, unicorns, ocean, and super heroes are just some of the many themes I’ve put together! It’s such a nice way to give a gift with a personal, homemade touch!

Perks of Playing with Play Dough

Play dough is the ultimate sensory play experiece. There are a lot of sensory bases available to explore (more on that below), but play dough is such a classic! The kids can mold it, hold it, shape it, and use it to make letters and other fun designs as well. You can also explore color mixing with play dough!

It is also fantastic for strengthening fine motor skills. As they grip and mold, kid’s hands and fingers are getting a great work out! Just think about all the different movements the hands will make in just a short time of playing with play dough – roll, stretch, mold, pinch, push, to name a few!

They can also use it to work their creativity and imagination as well and build and create fun artwork and projects.

I also love to give play dough as gifts to toddlers and preschoolers, often in a themed-kit! For example, dinosaurs, unicorns, ocean, and super heroes are just some of the many themes I’ve put together! It is such a nice way to give a gift with a personal, homemade touch!