Play Dough Recipes

Being a mom of two, I'm always looking for cheap, fun ideas for my children. Unfortunately, Play-Doh can get pretty expensive when the kids will just mix the colors into that ugly brown color. So, here's some fun, frugal recipes just for you to try with your kids!

Traditional Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring

Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when cooled. Will last for a long time.

Peanut Butter Dough

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup instant nonfat dry milk

Mix together until smooth.
*Note: For milk allergies, you may substitute flour for the instant nonfat dry milk. Also, some children may have peanut allergies.

Mister Rogers' Easy Play Dough

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup water

Mix together well. You can put dry Kool-Aid or Jell-O in the mix if you want colored dough.

Earth Friendly Play Dough

• 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Mix in saucepan over low heat (It does not have to heat long). Dough is ready when it rolls into a ball. Keep dough fresh in an airtight container. If you need to make different colors, add food coloring while mixing over heat.

Kool-Aid Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
• 1/4 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 cut water

Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool-Aid in a medium pot. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes. When mixture forms into a ball in pot, remove. Knead until smooth. Put in a plastic bag and refrigerate.

Cornstarch Clay

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups salt
• 1 1/3 cup cold water

Put salt and 2/3 cup water in pan and bring to a boil. Mix cornstarch with 2/3 cup water and mix well. Blend two mixtures together and knead into clay. The dough has to be heated as it is combined to set. Makes about 3 cups. This clay can be air dried and then painted. Store unused clay in airtight container in the fridge.

No-Cook Clay Dough

• 3 cups flour
• 3 cups salt
• 3 tablespoons alum

Combine ingredients and slowly add water, a little at a time. Mix well with spoon. As mixture thickens, continue mixing with your hands until it has the feel of clay. If it feels too dry, add water. If it feels too sticky, add equal parts of flour and salt.

Cooked Clay Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup salt
• 3 or 4 pounds flour
• food coloring

Stir slowly and be patient with this recipe. Blend the flour and cornstarch with cold water. Add salt to the water and boil. Pour the boiling salt and water solution into the flour and cornstarch paste and cook over hot water until clear. Add the flour and coloring to the cooked solution and knead. After the clay has been in use, if too moist, add flour; if dry, add water. Keep in covered container. Wrap dough with damp cloth or towel. This dough has a very nice texture and is very popular with all age groups. May be kept 2 or 3 weeks.