Easy Playdough Recipe That’s No-Cook

Ever wish making playdough with your kids was as fun as playing with it? This easy playdough recipe is the answer! It requires no cooking and minimal ingredients, making it perfect for those last-minute playdate cravings or a quick rainy day activity.

Follow this simple guide on how to make playdough, and get ready to unleash your inner child alongside your little ones!

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Ditch the store-bought stuff and whip up some creative fun with this super easy, no-cook easy playdough recipe!

This recipe boasts just a handful of pantry staples, so there’s no need for a special trip to the store. Plus, with no cooking involved, you can whip up a batch in minutes alongside your preschooler.

The best part?

This playdough is soft, colorful, and endlessly moldable, keeping your little ones entertained for hours. So grab your bowls, spoons, and your little sous chef, and get ready to create some colorful fun with this easy, no-cook playdough recipe!

When to Use This Recipe for Easy Playdough

This versatile dough is perfect for a variety of uses, which is why is it so popular!

The following list explores some fun ways to use this playdough, incorporating not just imaginative play and learning opportunities, but also sneaking in some hand-strengthening exercises for those growing motor skills.

  • Last-Minute Playdates
    • This recipe is your secret weapon for unexpected playdates! Skip the store run, whip up a batch in minutes, and let the creative fun begin!
  • Rainy Day Blues
    • Chase away the rainy day boredom with playdough! Add in some cookie cutters and playdough tools and this easy playdough recipe will keep the little ones entertained for hours.
  • Hand Strengthening Fun
    • This recipe provides a double dose of fun! The unique texture offers endless opportunities for kids to explore squishing, rolling, and feeling different textures, all while giving their hands a strengthening workout.
  • Open-Ended Play
    • Encourage creativity and oral language development with this versatile playdough. Kids can mold it into shapes, create miniature worlds, or use it as props for imaginative play. And doing al those things will keep the kiddo jabbering away!
  • Learning Through Play
    • Sneak in some learning while they have fun! Use the dough to practice counting, sorting by color, or letter and number recognition with cookie cutters.
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The Easiest Ever Playdough Recipe

Making playdough at home doesn’t get easier than this recipe. How is it the easiest playdough recipe ever? It’s simple. This recipe only requires basic household ingredients and it doesn’t have to be cooked!

That’s easy, right?!

Ingredients to Make Playdough At Home

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Wilton 8-Count Icing Colors for Cakes & Cupcakes,…
  • Consistency Preserved: Keep your cake batter and icing intact with this gel-based color formula….
  • Rainbow Variety: Unleash your creativity with a set of 8 gel food colorings including leaf green,…
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Kitchen Supplies Needed

Thumb Embossed Print Mixing Bowl (Set of 3)
  • Measures approximately 7″D, 8.25″D, 9.75″D
  • Hand wash recommended
  • Holds 32 , 64 and 96 oz respectively
Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup
  • Includes (1) 2-Cup Measuring Cup with Red Graphics
  • Made of nonporous glass that won’t warp, stain, or absorb odors
  • Glass is preheated oven, microwave, fridge, freezer & dishwasher safe
Prepworks by Progressive Ultimate 19-Piece Measuring…
  • ULTIMATE MEASURING CUP & SPOON SET: Our 19-piece Ultimate Measuring Set is the all-inclusive…
  • EASY TO READ: These cups & spoons feature long handles for more secure grip & easy to read standard…
  • DISHWASHER SAFE: This set of 9 spoons & 10 cups are BPA free & dishwasher safe. Each set includes an…

How to Make No-Cook Easy Playdough

Embrace simplicity! This playdough recipe is a breeze – it requires just a few pantry staples and skips the heat altogether.

That means less prep time and more time for colorful, creative fun!

In a small, microwave proof bowl, mix the water and oil. Add the gel food coloring if desired. Whisk until the gel food coloring is completely dissolved.

Heat the water mixture in the microwave for about two minutes. The water needs to be quite warm, but not boiling, especially if little ones are helping out.

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Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the four, cream of tartar and salt.

Pour the now warmed water into the flour mixture and mix with a wooden paddle or wooden spoon until a dough forms.

You may find yourself feeling a little exhausted by trying to mix the dough with a wooden spoon, so go ahead and dump it out onto a piece of parchment paper and allow to cool for a few minutes.

Now is definitely the time to enlist your preschoolers for help if you haven’t already. Have them oil up their hands and knead the dough until it is thoroughly mixed together. They can roll and smoosh and roll and smoosh some more until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

If Your Dough is Too Sticky

If your preschooler is kneading the dough and it is just too sticky, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.

Having your preschooler do this part will certainly work their hand strength!

What to Do if Your Dough is Too Crumbly

If the dough is really crumbly, put it in a zip top baggie with a teaspoon of water and knead it inside the bag. Doing this inside the bag will help keep the mess down. Keep adding water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough is the consistency you like.

If the dough is only slightly crumbly, you can try spritzing it with water from a squirt bottle and then knead it.

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How to Store Uncooked Playdough

Once the creative fun has come to an end, storing your homemade playdough is a breeze! To ensure it stays fresh and ready for the next playtime adventure, follow these simple steps:

  1. Wrap it Tight
    • Begin by giving your playdough a good knead to incorporate any stray bits of color.
    • Then, divide the dough into smaller portions for easier storage. Wrap each portion tightly with plastic wrap. This creates a barrier to prevent the dough from drying out.
  2. Airtight Container
    • Find an airtight container, preferably one with a lid that snaps shut securely. This will further protect your playdough from air exposure, which can cause it to harden.
    • Place all the wrapped dough portions inside the container.
  3. Fridge is Your Friend
    • The final step is to store the container in the refrigerator. The cool and slightly moist environment of the fridge helps extend the lifespan of your homemade playdough.
    • With proper storage, your playdough can last for weeks or even months, ready for the next burst of colorful creativity!
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Easiest Ever Playdough Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: easy

Ever wish making playdough with your kids was as fun as playing with it? This easy playdough recipe is the answer! It requires no cooking and minimal ingredients, making it perfect for those last-minute playdate cravings or a quick rainy day activity.

Materials

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup table salt
  • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cups near boiling water
  • food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a small, microwave proof bowl, mix the water and oil. Add the gel food coloring if desired. Whisk until the gel food coloring is completely dissolved.
  2. Heat the water mixture in the microwave for about two minutes. The water needs to be near boiling, bubbling around the edges.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the four, cream of tartar and salt.
  4. Pour the now warmed water into the flour mixture and mix with a wooden paddle or wooden spoon until a dough forms.
  5. Mix well, kneading with hands if needed, Allow to cool and then knead thorotughly.

Notes

Tips for proper storage to keep playdough from drying out:

  • Smoosh the playdough in the bottom of an airtight container.
  • Cover the playdough completely with plastic wrap.
  • Cover the container with an airtight lid.
  • Keep it in the fridge to make it last longer.

*If stored properly, this playdough can last up to 6 weeks (even out of the fridge)!

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