Homemade Play Dough Monster!

Parents know that Play Dough ranks very high in kids world. Unfortunately the dyes used by some manufacturers for coloring can be very toxic, not to mention messy! We learned a very easy recipe for a non-toxic homemade play dough, and kids love it.

Play Dough Recipe

- 1 cup organic flour*

- 1 cup warm water

- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

- 1 teaspoon oil

- 1/4 cup salt

- food coloring** (If you’re not into making your own dye, check out these natural, gluten-free, plant-based food colorings from Seelect

Mix everything up except for the food coloring. Add the coloring drop by drop, and get creative!

In a large soup pot, stir the mixture over medium heat until it thickens, trying to squash out any lumps. Remove it from pan and carefully knead it until blended smooth. For the kneading, you’ll want to make sure it’s cool to the touch all the way through before you let the kids play. The surface can feel perfectly fine but have a burny center, so be careful!

Store the play dough in an airtight container when it’s fully cooled. It will last ages if you don’t let it dry out!

*Flour options: If you or your child is gluten-sensitive, try substituting a gluten free flour, like Tom Sawyer All Purpose Gluten Free Flour. You may have to tinker with the recipe a bit, since gluten has some binding properties. Adding corn starch might help.

**Dyes: You may also want to use a natural fixative, like the one described in this post over at Pioneer Thinking to make sure your play dough doesn’t turn your kiddos’ hands (and clothes, and your table) bright colors!

Source: Crafting a Green World