Playing with playdough is a great sensory activity that can provide hours of entertainment for kids. However, store-bought playdough can be expensive and often contains harmful chemicals. Luckily, it's easy to make your own playdough at home using simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. In this article, we will share with you the best playdough recipe that is safe, easy to make, and fun to play with.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this playdough recipe are as follows: - 2 cups of all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup of salt - 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar - 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil - 1 1/2 cups of boiling water - Food coloring (optional) - Essential oils (optional)
Flour
The flour is the base of this recipe and provides the structure for the playdough. All-purpose flour works best for this recipe, but you can also use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour if you prefer.
Salt
Salt acts as a preservative in this recipe and also helps to create a smooth texture. Make sure to use regular table salt and not coarse salt.
Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is an acidic powder that helps to activate the baking soda in this recipe. It also acts as a stabilizer, making the playdough last longer.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil helps to make the playdough soft and pliable. You can use any type of vegetable oil, such as canola oil or olive oil.
Boiling Water
Boiling water is used to activate the ingredients and create the dough. Make sure the water is boiling hot to ensure the ingredients mix well.
Food Coloring
Food coloring is optional but can add a fun and colorful element to the playdough. Use as much or as little as you like.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are also optional but can add a pleasant scent to the playdough. Use only a few drops and make sure they are safe for children.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your own playdough at home: 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. 2. Add the vegetable oil and mix well. 3. Add the boiling water and stir until the mixture forms a dough. 4. If you are adding food coloring or essential oils, add them now and knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed. 5. Store the playdough in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Step 1: Mixing the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Use a whisk or a fork to mix the ingredients together.
Step 2: Adding the Vegetable Oil
Add the vegetable oil to the bowl and mix well. Use your hands to rub the oil into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly.
Step 3: Adding the Boiling Water
Boil the water in a kettle or on the stove. Add the boiling water to the bowl and stir until the mixture forms a dough. Be careful, as the water will be very hot.
Step 4: Adding the Food Coloring and Essential Oils
If you are adding food coloring or essential oils, add them now and knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed. You can use as much or as little food coloring as you like to achieve your desired color. If you are using essential oils, make sure they are safe for children and only use a few drops.
Step 5: Storing the Playdough
Store the playdough in an airtight container or plastic bag. This will keep the playdough fresh and prevent it from drying out. You can store the playdough at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Nutrition
While playdough is not meant to be eaten, it's important to use safe and non-toxic ingredients in case children accidentally ingest it. The ingredients in this playdough recipe are all safe for children and do not contain any harmful chemicals. However, the playdough does contain a lot of salt, so it's important to keep it away from pets and small children who may be tempted to eat it.
Conclusion
Making your own playdough at home is a fun and easy activity that can provide hours of entertainment for kids. This recipe uses simple ingredients that are safe and non-toxic, making it a great alternative to store-bought playdough. So why not give it a try and see how much fun you and your kids can have with homemade playdough!
