How to… make scented Playdough! A fail safe playdough recipe!

There are many recipes on the web for making playdough (even Bath Play Dough!). I made three attempts, before I felt I got it right (I was making some for one of our “story + art” projects and had a very dissappointed Red Ted when the playdough didn’t come out right). So I decided, that I would write a post to show you “How to make playdough – a fail safe playdough recipe”!

When we first made playdough, I was a little worried he would want to eat it, as we do a lot of baking and he loves to lick the spoon. Surprisingly, he didn’t. Playdough is like a magic word!

Note: Update: I have since become a HUGE fan of “no cook playdough”, which we link to via this Apple Playdough play post here.

Homemade playdough tends to be softer and not “smell” as nice, but it is just as much fun.. and we add a sneaky bit of vanilla and cinnamon to make it that little bit lovelier! This would work really well with these free printable play dough mats or why not check out this Rock Themed Playdough Invitation to Play – so cool!

And here is how:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 2 tbsp cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • Vanilla essence or cinnamon
  • Food colouring, Red, Blue, Yellow

Very simple:

  1. Put all ingredients (minus colouring and vanilla/ cinnamon) in a pan (your child can help – the photo shows Red Ted on our 1st attempt, the remaining photos are the best recipe given above!).
  2. Stir over a medium (!) heat. Until smooth/ less sticky looking. If very sticky, cook a little longer. Probably a total of 10minutes? (that by the way is my finger doing a pinch test in the photo)!
  3. Let cool.
  4. Divide into three batches and add food colouring / smellies (one vanilla, one cinnamon, one plain)
  5. Store in fridge
  6. PS see Red Ted’s apron – check out the link below, but that is a NO SEW APRON! Woohoo!

(My pitfalls: too little salt (misread the recipe) & then cooking it too hot too rapidly!)

Some recipes state to put the colouring whilst cooking, this is great if you want to get a really nice strong colour, as I found if you add TOO much colour at the end the dough gets sticky again. But it does mean cooking 2 batches! Ditto if you want to add lots of vanilla – suggest you add DURING the cooking process and not afterwards like me!

If you enjoy using playdough.. why not combine your homemade playdough with these fun Free Donut Playdough Cards!

Enjoy the playdough!

Previous How Tos:

– Turn a T-shirt into a Halterneck (Guest Post)

– Easy & effective Fish Pinata

– Simple but effective paper frames (vlog)

– How to make a Flower Pom Pom (guest post) – simply gorgeous – use as wedding decor!

– How to make a Paper Envelope

– How to make a No Sew Bib (out of an old shirt)

– How to make a Fabric Mâché Bowl (from old scraps of fabric!)

– How to make a Paper Flower (from newspapers)  (guest post)