How to Make Playdough without Cream of Tartar
Looking for a simple and effective homemade playdough recipe without cream of tartar? Learn how to make playdough that’s soft and pliable using simple pantry staples.
Whether you’re a parent or a preschool teacher, this recipe is perfect for sensory and fine motor play. It’s quick, easy, and safe for little ones to enjoy during play-based learning activities.
One of the best tings about making homemade playdough is having control over the ingredients. Without using cream of tartar, this recipe still produces wonderfully pliable dough that can be molded into a variety of shapes and forms, making it perfect for sensory play and hand strength development.
Making playdough at home allows you to introduce vibrant, natural colors and fun scents that can enhance sensory experiences.
One of the things I love most about homemade playdough recipes is that they are completely customizable! Just wait until you see some of our ideas!
Why No Cream of Tartar?
Cream of tartar is often used in playdough recipes for its ability to give the dough elasticity and preserve its texture. However, if you don’t have it on hand, you can still make an equally great batch of playdough using this no-fuss method.
No Cream of Tartar Playdough Recipe
No cream of tartar? No problem! This recipe works just as well as any other.
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Ingredients
- flour
- table salt
- cooking oil
- water
- Food coloring (optional)
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Kitchen Supplies
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Saucepan
- Stove or hot plate
- Airtight containers for storage
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- Hand wash recommended
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How to Make Playdough no Cream of Tartar
Just like any pf our other homemade playdough recipes, this one is easy peasy. It’s a traditional cooked playdough recipe that can be whipped up in just a few minutes.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
Measure the flour and salt into a medium saucepan. Whisk them together to remove any clumps.
Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the vegetable oil and water while stirring. If you’re making a batch of playdough all one color, then you can add the food coloring to the water before mixing it into the dry ingredients. Otherwise, wait until the end.
Cook the Dough
Turn on the heat to medium and stir the mixture constantly. The dough will gradually thicken as it cooks. Within 3–5 minutes, it will form a thick, doughy ball.
Cool and Knead
Remove the dough from heat and transfer it to parchment paper. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Once it’s safe to touch, knead the dough until it’s smooth and pliable.
Add the Color
If you’re making a single batch with lost of different colors, now is you chance.
Divide the dough into individual balls and add a dollop of food coloring to each ball. Fold the dough over into itself and then knead thoroughly to evenly distribute the color.
Start Playing!
Your playdough is now ready to use. Invite your preschoolers to join you in some sensory and fine motor fun with playdough!
This recipe can also be easily doubled or tripled if you need larger amounts of playdough.
Playdough Recipes That Don’t Call for Cream of Tartar
Want even more playdough recipes without cream of tartar? I have a ton! Try out some of these:
- Super Soft Playdough without Cream of Tartar
- Scented Playdough without Cream of Tartar
- Playdough Recipe without Cream of Tartar or Lemon Juice
- Playdough Recipe Using Vinegar
FAQs About Homemade Playdough
Yes! This recipe works without cream of tartar by relying on salt and oil to maintain pliability. If you prefer an alternative, substitute it with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. These acidic ingredients help with elasticity, though this recipe doesn’t require them.
To keep it soft and fresh, store your playdough in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight to prevent it from drying out.
If your playdough starts to dry out, use a squirt bottle to spray it with a small amount of water and let it sit. After an hour or so, knead it thoroughly to restore its softness, giving it another spritz of water as needed while kneading.
What to Do with Playdough
I’m not kidding when I say that we use playdough every day in my preschool classroom. It’s that versatile of a teaching tool! Here are some favorite playdough activities.
- Leaf Impressions Playdough Activity
- Math Playdough Invitation to Play
- Magic Playdough Activity
- Playdough Shape Mats
- Playdough Letter Stampers
- Playdough Extruders
Playdough Recipe without Cream of Tartar
This homemade playdough recipe skips the cream of tartar and instead uses simple pantry staples to create a soft, pliable dough perfect for little hands. It's an easy, customizable option that supports sensory play and fine motor skill development in a safe and economical way.
Materials
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1–1 ¼ cups of water
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Saucepan
- Stove or hot plate
- Airtight containers for storage
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium pot over medium heat. - If you're using gel food coloring, a small blob is plenty.
- Stir everything together with a wooden spoon until smooth.
- Continue stirring until a ball forms (it might still be a little sticky but it will mostly resemble playdough at this point).
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for ten minutes, then dump onto the counter and knead to mix thoroughly.
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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I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.