Silky Smooth Dough Recipe without Cream of Tartar

Looking for a super soft play dough recipe without cream of tartar that’s gentle on little hands and incredibly malleable? We’re sharing how to make playdough so you can ditch the store-bought playdough’s stiffness and the drying effects of traditional homemade versions.

Our secret? Instead, we use cornstarch to give it an irresistibly silky smooth texture. Perfect for preschoolers, this playdough is not only super soft but also easy to create at home.

We’re big fans of play dough at our home, and we’ve experimented with all sorts – from lemon scented playdough to cooling peppermint playdough, and even versions made with unconventional ingredients like our orange creamsicle playdough made with cornstarch and conditioner.

But among them all, there’s one that holds a special place in our hearts – a soft play dough recipe without cream of tartar.

A play dough recipe that omits cream of tartar is a must-have for every preschool activity kit, especially on those endless rainy days when you need to whip it up quick.

The secret to its soft and pliable texture is cornstarch. A few tablespoons of vegetable oil in the mix ensure that the little ones’ hands stay moisturized during play, and prevent the dough from sticking to surfaces and play tools. Plus, this recipe is salt-free, too!

Super Soft Play Dough Recipe without Cream of Tartar

This super soft play dough recipe without cream of tartar is a popular alternative recipe for creating homemade, fun, and safe play material for children.

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Ingredients

• flour
• cornstarch
• lemon juice or vinegar
• vegetable oil
• water
• food coloring (optional)

Kitchen Supplies

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Saucepan
• Stove or hot plate
• Airtight containers for storage

How to Make Playdough With Cornstarch

This is a simple cooked playdough recipe that only takes a matter of minutes to make.

Step 1: Mix Together the Dry Ingredients

Measure the flour and salt into a medium saucepan. Whisk them together thoroughly to remove any lumps or clumps and to make sure the flour and cornstarch are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate mixing bowl for liquids, measure out the water and oil, and add the desired food coloring if using.

Step 3: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour in the liquids into the dry mixture while continuously stirring. Make sure the mixture of well combined without any clumps.

Here is an easy playdough recipe without cream of tartar to try.

Step 4: Cook Until a Dough Forms

Cook all the ingredients over low heat until the ingredients come together to make a doughy ball. 

It’s going to look sticky, and it will be. That’s exactly what we want it to look like.

Step 5: Allow to Cool

Once the mixture has formed a dough, remove from heat.  Allow to cool for a bit, then knead well.

Don’t add any extra flour or cornstarch until the dough is completely cooled. Like making a delicious sweet and sour sauce, the play dough won’t fully thicken until it is completely cooled. 

And of course, always allow the play dough to cool completely before letting children handle it.

Step 6: Adjust the Consistency

Once the dough is cooled enough to handle safely, then it’s time to knead. Dump the dough out on the counter top or on parchment paper and knead thoroughly. This helps the ingredients incorporate more, but this is also the time to add a little more cornstarch or water to adjust consistency.

How to Make Playdough Not Sticky

Once the dough is completely cooled, if you do find it a little sticky, just add in more cornstarch a ONE tablespoon at a time. Knead well between each addition of cornstarch. Knead more than you think you need to.

Then, if the playdough is still sticky, add another tablespoon of cornstarch.

Continue the process until the playdough has reached the desired consistency.

Read this: How to Make Playdough – Your Questions Answered.

How to Make Play Dough Soft Again

If after playing for a while you find the dough to be too crumbly and it has lost it’s silky smooth texture, just use a spray bottle to spray the dough, knead slightly, and store overnight and it will be like new the next day.

How to Keep Play Dough From Drying Out

The best way to keep play dough from drying out is by storing it properly. You will be most successful if you:

• Smoosh playdough into the bottom of an air tight container.
• Cover the playdough with plastic wrap, pushing it down to cover each bit of playdough.
• Cover container with an air tight lid.

To make the playdough last longer, keep it in the fridge, but even without being refrigerated, this playdough can last up to six weeks.

Do you have a favorite play dough recipe without cream of tartar? I’d love to hear the play dough recipes you use with the children.

You’ll also like our Classic Cooked Playdough Recipe.

Cornstarch Playdough Recipes

If you love the texture created by using cornstarch in your playdough, then you will love these other cornstarch play dough recipes.

• Edible Marshmallow Playdough
• Cloud Dough Playdough
• Pure White Playdough Recipe
• Foam Dough Playdough Recipe
• Edible Frosting Playdough

Try our No-cook Playdough Recipe without Cream of Tartar.