My Absolute Favorite Play Dough Recipe!

I found this recipe in a children's cookbook many moons ago, and have used it successfully for years (well, actually, decades!). The final texture is wonderfully smooth, and it's easier for small hands to squish and manipulate than some of the popular brands sold in stores.

The kids help me measure and mix the first five ingredients - I generally handle the food coloring (it's a lot of dye, and can stain anything and everything!), then I also cook the mixture on the stove, stopping to show my helpers the different stages from liquid, to gloop, to finally - ta-da! - play dough!


 Home Made Play Dough

1 cup white flour
1/4 cup salt
2 Tblsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 Tblsp.  vegetable oil
2 tsp. food coloring

Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium sauce pan. Add water, oil, and food coloring.
Stir constantly over medium heat for 3 - 5 minutes. It'll go from liquid, to gloopy mess, to forming into a ball of play dough. Take it out of the pan, knead it a little, and allow to cool.

Store it in a plastic container or zip-lock bag so it won't dry out - and in the summer months, it's best to keep it in the refrigerator - it can get moldy (after all, it is made out of food!).