Make Your Own Play Dough

Flour and Salt are the main ingredients in this recipe for homemade Play Dough that I’ve kept in my recipe box for quite a few years now.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should let you know that my “babies” are now adults, so it has indeed been a few years since I’ve made this recipe. And at the risk of sounding like a real dinosaur, this was back before everyone had a computer at home and easy access to the internet. When I cut this recipe out of a magazine I was so very happy that I had finally found a way to make my own Play Dough!

So now that I’m done reminiscing about the not so good old days, let me give you the recipe details:

HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH

In a saucepan mix together:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon food coloring (color of your choice)
To this mixture add 2 cups water

Cook on medium/high heat for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. It will be lumpy at first, then turn to a solid mass. Let cool before handling. Store in an airtight plastic container.

If you keep this in a good container, it will last a long time. I remember a batch of this lasting for several years. I also remember that it felt really strange to measure out an entire cup of salt. Salt is one of those ingredients that you usually only measure out a teaspoon or two at a time!

I did have to smile when I noticed on this list that my recipe most closely resembled the one called “traditional”. Traditional, vintage, classic, or whatever else you call it, I think my play dough recipe is timeless and maybe someday I’ll be blessed to make it for grandkids.