DIY Spiced Playdough
Can you think of anything more nostalgic than playing with playdough as a child? Okay, maybe you can, but it is still a great childhood memory.
I feel like playdough is one of the best open ended activities for kids (and adults) alike. Playdough encourages squishing, squashing, poking, rolling, building and creating. Not only is it an easy activity to keep little hands busy but a great activity to add to your homeschool “toolbox”. And even if you don’t homeschool, you still need it in your toolbox.
Playdough is a perfect activity to strengthen little hands in the early years. It helps to work and develop the little muscles in the hands that will later be used for handwriting. If you have a child who is struggling with writing, take a step back, and give them some playdough instead.
Okay so I think we have discussed how much I love playdough. However, as a “cunchy-ish” mom, I don’t love the store bought playdough. It smells weird, the colors are too bright, and we don’t even know what it’s made from. Plus.. you have to keep buying it, making sure you don’t loose the lids so it doesn’t dry out. It just becomes a hassle.
So let’s fix that problem with a simple solution. We are going to make it at home. Yes, that’s right! Put on your apron and baking hat (okay there’s really no hat but you get the picture). I am going to share with you a no-bake playdough recipe that will make you never miss the store bought mystery dough.
Making your own play dough at home is simple and quick and can be made with ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry. I don’t know about you but that is right up my alley. I love making activities with things that I already have on hand.
The best part of making your own play dough is that you know exactly what it is made of and it’s a list of simple ingredients.
This recipe is soft and squishy and will last for months when stored in an airtight container in the fridge when not in use.
What you will need.
1 cup flour ( all purpose is fine)
1 cup boiling water
1/3 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 Tbs oil (any kind you like)
2 tsp spices for coloring (coco powder, paprika, tumeric)
Essential oils for scent (optional)
How to make your play dough
Mix all the dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl. Add the bowling water and the oil. Using a spoon, mix it until it is well incorporated. Let it cool a little bit and then knead it until it becomes smooth. I like to add in the essential oils as I am kneading it.
This recipe makes ones batch. Repeat for each color you want to create. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Other Additions
If you like a more brilliant color to your play dough you can use food coloring instead of spices, but I promise you that making a more natural playdough is much more fun!
A really wonderful addition to your play dough is to add herbs or flowers from your garden or yard. Some ideas are lavender buds, rosemary, roman chamomile flowers, or dandelions. These add both a lovely scent as well as natural beauty to your play dough. The kids will LOVE going to pick the flowers or herbs, tearing them into small pieces (great fine motor skill) and kneading them into the dough!