Sculpting with a soft, doughy medium inspires kids’ creativity, encourages their developing dexterity, and is just generally relaxing and fun for the whole family. But have you ever wondered what’s actually in those little tubs of neon-colored stuff you buy at the store? Chances are you wouldn’t want some of those ingredients on your kids’ delicate skin—or worse, in their tummies if they happened to put some in their mouths!
With this super easy recipe, you’ll know your kids are handling only the safest ingredients while they build dragons, and mermaids—and everything else they can dream up. And unlike some other DIY playdough recipes out there, this dough is appealing and pleasant to handle, rather than crumbly. Rose water gives it a subtle, relaxing scent, while the glycerine imparts a soft, glowing shine. Our DIY playdough keeps a long time, too—up to six whole months—for countless hours of fun and imagination!
With this super easy recipe, you’ll know your kids are handling only the safest ingredients while they build dragons, and mermaids—and everything else they can dream up. And unlike some other DIY playdough recipes out there, this dough is appealing and pleasant to handle, rather than crumbly. Rose water gives it a subtle, relaxing scent, while the glycerine imparts a soft, glowing shine. Our DIY playdough keeps a long time, too—up to six whole months—for countless hours of fun and imagination!
Ingredients:
• 1½ cups water
• 2-10 drops natural food coloring made only from fruits, vegetables, and spices (such as Watkins)
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup fine ground sea salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1-2 drops organic food-grade rose water
• 3 drops glycerine
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, and salt.
2. Pour water into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Stir natural food coloring drops into the boiling water to desired color intensity.
4. In gradual increments, mix the colorful water into the dry ingredients until it becomes a sticky dough. (You don’t have to use every last drop of the water—just keep adding water until the consistency is right.)
5. Mix the glycerine and rose water into the dough.
6. When the dough is cool enough to handle, remove it from the bowl and knead briskly on a flat surface until stickiness has given way to a perfect, silky consistency.
7. If stickiness persists, just knead in a bit more flour.
8. Store in an airtight container for up to six months, and refrigerate during warm or humid weather.