DIY Play dough

Many websites have recipes for play dough- I have tried a few and like this one best.  In my opinion, it has the same consistency as the real thing.  The same recipe is on several websites - I have no idea where it came from originally.  Aside from the obvious crafty fun and educational benefits, rolling and cutting play dough is good practice for rolling and cutting cookie dough.  Once your child masters even rolling in play dough you can move on to the real stuff.  :-)

Play dough:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp oil (vegetable, canola, olive, etc.)
1 cup warm water

Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium sized saucepan, adding the oil and water last.  Put over medium heat, and continue to stir until you have a dough ball (approx. 3-4 minutes.)  Continue cooking for an additional minute or two until the dough is no longer sticky.  Remove from heat, and drop onto a counter/cutting board/ etc to cool.  Knead for a minute or two once its cool enough before giving it to the kids.  Store in an airtight container, or zip lock bag.  (Airtight containers work better.)



You can mix in some food coloring with the water- it takes a good bit to get the same brilliant colors as real play dough.  When I used the liquid food dyes my dough was pastel colored.  Or, mix in gel food colorings as you knead the dough to get brilliant colors (like pictured.) Cover your counter; and your hands will be dyed for around a day (so do it one day when you don't have to go out.)  :-)   I divided one batch in half to make 2 colors - so my photo has 2 batches.  Each color fit perfectly in the small screw-top containers for packing liquids in lunches - I think they hold a cup each.  So I am assuming that this recipe yields just under 2 cups of play dough.

If the dough starts to dry out, a few drops of water can be kneaded in to soften it as needed.