Summer Fun: Homemade Play Dough

By Bethany Ivie

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: July 12, 2014

Summer Fun: Homemade Play Dough

Play Dough is a staple of childhood fun. It's also incredibly easy to make! Try out this Earth-friendly recipe that we found on The Imagination Tree blog. 

Here’s What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups all-purpose
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  • Up to 1.5 cups water
  • Food coloring (optional)

Here’s How You Do It:

  1. In a small pot, bring the water to a boil and add food coloring (if desired).
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil.*
  3. Add the boiling water to the flour mixture in small increments, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes a sticky, combined dough. 
  4. Once the dough has cooled, remove from the bowl and knead vigorously until all stickiness has gone (adding additional flour if necessary).
  5. Present the newly created dough to your children and bask in the knowledge that you are, indeed, the coolest mom/dad/aunt/uncle/babysitter in the world. 


*Pro Tip: to create scented play dough, add one packet of Jell-O (lemon or orange flavors work best) to the flour mixture before you add the boiling water.


Looking for more awesome DIY projects? Check out our blog series The Good Life!

At Heifer International we believe that everyone is responsible for caring for the Earth. We also believe that it doesn't have to be difficult! Small efforts like recycling plastic bottles, turning off lights, and using Earth-friendly alternatives to common products can help to care for and improve the environment around you. Read more about how Heifer cares for the Earth here