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    Home » Recipes for Toddlers & Kids » Kids Parties

    Super Easy Cooked Playdough Recipe | Thermomix and Conventional Methods

    Modified: Jul 3, 2022 · Published: Mar 6, 2020 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 50 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    4 discs of homemade playdough in pastel colours.

    Our simple cooked playdough recipe is sure to provide hours of fun for the kids! Follow our step-by-step instructions for making playdough using a stove-top or a Thermomix.

    4 discs of homemade playdough in pastel colours.

    Playdough (also known as play do, play doh and play dough) provides one of the most valuable learning experiences for toddlers and kids.

    Not only does it assist with  motor skills such as rolling, pinching, stretching, pushing and cutting, it also encourages imaginative play through a range of sensory and tactile activities.

    A stack of homemade play doh balls.

    What You Need To Make Playdough

    • salt - cheap table salt works fine (you can generally buy a 1kg bag for around $1.00). The salt helps to preserve the playdough so that it lasts longer
    • water
    • cream of tartar - I use McKenzies brand but you can substitute with any brand you like
    • plain flour - cheap home brand flour works fine
    • oil - you can use vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil etc. I generally use vegetable oil. The oil helps maintain the elasticity of the playdough.
    • food colouring - add 1-2 drops for pastel colours or increase the amount of food colouring for more vibrant colours

    The ingredients for homemade cooked playdough - cream of tartar, flour, water, oil, salt and colouring.

    How To Make Playdough On A Stove-Top

    *scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for full instructions

    Step 1 - Mix the flour, water and cream of tartar in a saucepan

    Water, flour and cream of tartar in a saucepan.

    Step 2 - Cook on the stovetop, stirring until thickened

    Homemade play dough mixture being stirred in a saucepan.

    Step 3 - Knead the dough on a chopping board

    A handful of cooked play doh mixture on a chopping board.

    Step 4 - Knead through the oil

    Oil being added to homemade play dough mixture.

    Step 5 - Divide into portions and mix through the food colouring

    Green playdough being kneaded on a floured chopping board.

    How To Make Playdough In a Thermomix

    *scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for full instructions

    My favourite way to make playdough is in the Thermomix! It's so incredibly quick and easy!

    Start by milling the salt then add the water and cream of tartar and heat for 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. 

    Add the flour and oil and mix together, then use the Interval/Knead function.

    Remove from the Thermomix, divide into portions and knead through the food colouring with your hands.

    4 different coloured discs of play doh that's been cooked.

    The Pros And Cons - Cooked Playdough Vs Uncooked Playdough

    While uncooked playdough is easy to make (and this is a good recipe to use), I prefer cooked playdough for the following reasons:

    • cooked playdough lasts longer than uncooked playdough
    • cooked playdough has a far better texture than uncooked playdough
    • it only takes a couple of minutes to cook playdough (either on the stove-top or in a Thermomix)

     

    What Makes This The BEST Playdough Recipe

    I've been making this recipe for YEARS... from way back when I was a primary school teacher to now making it with my son. It's the BEST recipe I've ever used and it's so simple.

    Here's why you're going to LOVE it:

    • it's super cheap to make (an entire batch costs just a couple of dollars)
    • it makes enough for 3-4 colours
    • the recipe can easily be doubled 
    • it lasts up to 3 months stored at room temperature

    4 Round balls of playdough.

    How To Store Playdough

    Store playdough in individual ziplock plastic bags (one bag per colour) at room temperature for up to 3 months. 

    If the playdough starts to dry out, simply knead through a small amount of oil.

     

    Tips For Making Our Cooked Playdough Recipe

    • Wear gloves when kneading through the food colouring (to avoid your hands being stained)
    • You can add glitter to this recipe for a sparkly appearance
    • You can add essential oils to the playdough to give it a beautiful scent
    • If you'd like more than 1 colour playdough, simply divide the plain (uncoloured) mixture between several bowls and mix through the colours you would like
    • Playdough can be prepared ahead of time as this recipe will last for up to 3 months.

    Yellow, purple, pink and green pastel playdough with a metal love heart shaped cutter.

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    Playtime has never been quite so fun as it is with my super easy cooked playdough recipe (with both Thermomix and conventional methods). Whip up a batch and the kids will be playing happily for hours (ok... maybe hours is an overstatement!!). 

    Super Easy Playdough Recipe

    Our simple cooked playdough recipe is sure to provide hours of fun for the kids! Follow our step-by-step instructions for making playdough using a stove-top or a Thermomix. 
    5 from 31 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Non-Edible
    Cuisine: Non-Edible
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 batch
    Calories:
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 110 g salt
    • 250 g water
    • 1 tbs cream of tartar
    • 250 g plain flour
    • 1 tbs oil coconut, vegetable etc are all fine
    • food colouring
    • glitter optional

    Instructions

    Thermomix Method

    • Place the salt into the Thermomix bowl and mix on Speed 10 for 5 seconds.
    • Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add the water and cream of tartar and cook for 5 minutes, 60 degrees, Speed 3.
    • Leave to cool for 5 minutes.
    • Add the plain flour and the oil and mix together for 50 seconds, Speed 4.
    • Knead for 1 minute on Interval Speed.
    • Check the texture and if it's a little sticky, add some more flour and knead for a further 30 seconds.
    • Separate the playdough into several bowls.
    • Add 1 tiny drop of food colouring (and a sprinkle of glitter - optional) to each bowl and mix together with your hands until the colour is evenly dispersed (wear gloves!).
    • Wrap the playdough in cling wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge (see notes).

    Conventional Method

    • Place the flour, water, cream of tartar and salt into a saucepan over medium heat.
    • Stir continuously until thickened. Leave the mixture to cool.
    • Place the dough onto a well-floured board or bench.
    • Add the oil and knead it through really well.
    • Divide the playdough into equal portions, add food colouring and knead until the colour is completely even.
    • Wrap the playdough in cling wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge (see notes).

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Playdough is also known as play do, play doh and play dough.
    Salt – cheap table salt works fine (you can generally buy a 1kg bag for around $1.00). The salt helps to preserve the playdough so that it lasts longer.
    Cream of tartar – I use McKenzies brand but you can substitute with any brand you like.
    Plain flour – cheap home brand flour works fine.
    Oil – you can use vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil etc. I generally use vegetable oil. The oil helps maintain the elasticity of the playdough.
    Food colouring – add 1-2 drops for pastel colours or increase the amount of food colouring for more vibrant colours.
    Wear gloves when kneading through the food colouring (to avoid your hands being stained).
    You can add glitter to this recipe for a sparkly appearance.
    You can add essential oils to the playdough to give it a beautiful scent.
    Storing playdough - store in individual ziplock plastic bags (one bag per colour) for up to 3 months (either in the fridge or at room temp). Storing in the fridge will make the playdough last even longer. If the playdough starts to dry out, simply knead through a small amount of oil.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

     

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    Comments

    1. Bryanna says

      April 17, 2025 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, I haven’t tried this yet but want too on my new thermocook would you place the butterfly whisk on first to make the dough in the thermo? Or is it all done with the blade? Thanks xx

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        April 19, 2025 at 7:46 am

        Hi Bryanna, just the blade 🙂

        Reply
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    5 from 31 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

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