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!!).
Back when I was teaching I made a LOT of playdough!! I’m not sure who loved it more out of the kids or me to be honest. But seriously, I used it in my classroom for so many things – developmental play, maths, motor skill development…. blah, blah, blah! Playdough is honestly the best. Except when kids eat it (which will absolutely 100% happen at some stage).
Anyway, I thought that it was about time I shared my two favourite playdough recipes on the blog. Obviously, Will is still a bit too little for playdough (he would DEFINITELY eat it!!), but I’m sure that soon enough, it will be playdough madness in our house.
I’ve included my two favourite playdough recipes – one for the Thermomix and one conventional one. They are both ‘cooked’ playdough recipes – which I prefer because they have a much better feel to them and they seem to last a lot longer. If you’re after an ‘uncooked’ version, here’s a great one from Paging Fun Mums.
In this particular batch of playdough I wanted really lovely pretty pastel colours… because pretty playdough is fabulous playdough! To get that gorgeous pastel look, just go really easy on the food colouring. Add one tiny drop at a time and knead it really well. You’ll be amazed at how far a teensy bit of colour will go. On the other hand, if you want big, bright, beautiful colours, add in extra food colouring. Easy peasy!
One thing I used to love to do was to add a bit of glitter or shimmer to my playdough. But I’d only recommend doing this if your little ones are old enough to understand not to rub their eyes when they’re playing with the playdough. Playdough + glitter = fun, fun, fun! Glitter + eyes = no fun at all.
So whether you’re making a batch of playdough for school, home… or anywhere – these super easy playdough recipes are just what you need! xx
Super Easy Playdough Recipe
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 TM 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.
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 each ball in plastic wrap, place into an airtight container and store in the fridge.
So glad I found this recipe for the Thermie!
BTW, Congrats on your bubba….I have been missing from blogging this past year, but hopefully back now.
Thank you so much Sam! Congrats on getting back into blogging!
Hi,
Im a big follower of yours, love everything you do!!
I was just wondering why you dont add the food colouring in with the water?
Maybe im doing something wrong, but I get food colour everwhere & stain my hands if I do it at the end.
Hi Jade,
You absolutely can add it in with the water (and this will stop the hand staining). The reason that I don’t is that you can then split the plain dough into several different portions and colour each in individual colours (whereas if you add it in with the water, all of the dough has to be the same colour). xx
Thanks for sharing.
I am so excited to try making it with Thermomix!
I was thinking of adding something to this recipe for some natural smell; something like mint, coconut, vanilla,…
I know you mentioned coconut oil in your recipe but in case I wanna try something else, do you think it’s better to add it to the water or add to the dough at the end?
Also may I ask how long does this dough last?
When kids finish playing, do you keep it in the fridge after each use?
Sorry for lots of questions
Thanks,
Mali
Hi Mali, hmm I think I would add in your mint, coconut, vanilla etc at the end. Wrap it in an cling wrap and keep stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Depending on how much use it gets, it will last for several weeks. xx
Add doTERRA essential oils – they are a sensory sensation!
Awesome playdough recipe! I forgot to let it cool down but it still worked really well. I used tumeric to colour it and lemon Myrtle to scent it. Thanks so much!
Oh what a great idea!!!